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Special  History  Study 

Presidio  of  San  Francisco 

An  Outline  of  Its  Evolution  as  a  U.S.  Army  Post,  1847-1990 


Presidio  of  San  Francisco 

GOLDEN  GATE 

National  Recreation  Area  •  California 


NOV  1CM992 


. 


Special  History  Study 
Presidio  of  San  Francisco 

An  Outline  of  Its  Evolution  as  a  U.S.  Army  Post,  1847-1990 

August  1992 


Erwin  N.  Thompson 
Sally  B.  Woodbridge 


Presidio  of  San  Francisco 

GOLDEN  GATE 

National  Recreation  Area  •  California 


United  States  Department  of  the  Interior  •  National  Park  Service  •  Denver  Service  Center 


"Significance,  like  beauty,  is  in  the  eye  of  the  beholder" 
Brian  W.  Dippie 


Printed  on  Recycled  Paper 


CONTENTS 


PREFACE  vii 

ABBREVIATIONS        viii 

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS   ix 

INTRODUCTION        1 

CHAPTER  1:  THE  BEGINNINGS,  1846-1861 5 

A.  Takeover 5 

B.  The  Indians 8 

C.  The  Boundaries 9 

D.  Adobes,  Forts,  and  Other  Matters 10 

CHAPTER  2:  CIVIL  WAR,  1861-1865 21 

A.  Organizing 21 

B.  Keeping  the  Peace 22 

C.  Building  the  Post    23 

CHAPTER  3:  THE  PRESIDIO  COMES  OF  AGE,  1866-1890 31 

A.  Peacetime 31 

B.  The  Division  Comes  to  the  Presidio    36 

C.  Officers'  Club,  20    46 

D.  Other  Buildings    47 

E.  Troop  Duty 49 

F.  Fort  Winfield  Scott    51 

CHAPTER  4:  BEAUTIFICATION,  GROWTH,  CAMPS,  EARTHQUAKE,  FORT 

WINFIELD  SCOTT,  1883-1907 53 

A.  Beautification    53 

B.  Growth 64 

C.  Camps  and  Cantonments    70 

D.  Earthquake 75 

E.  Fort  Winfield  Scott,  Again 78 

CHAPTER  5:  THE  PRESIDIO  AND  THE  FORT,  1906-1930    81 

A.  A  Headquarters  for  the  Division 81 

B.  Housing  and  Other  Structures,  1907-1910 81 

C.  Infantry  Terrace    84 

D.  Fires  and  Firemen 86 

E.  Barracks  35  and  Cavalry  Stables 90 

F.  Fort  Winfield  Scott   90 

G.  Panama-Pacific  International  Exposition 97 

H.  World  War  I  and  the  1920s  .  .  98 


in 


CHAPTER  6:  THE  THIRTIES  AND  THE  WAR,  1930-1945    105 

A.  A  Headquarters  Post    105 

B.  Construction 107 

C.  Works  Progress  Administration    108 

D.  Civilian  Conservation  Corps  (CCC)    Ill 

E.  Officers'  Club 112 

F.  Golden  Gate  Bridge    116 

G.  World  War  II 117 

CHAPTER  7:  THE  PRESIDIO,  1945-1990    123 

A.  Sixth  U.S.  Army   123 

B.  Construction 126 

CHAPTER  8:  THE  TENANTS  AND  OTHER  ACTIVITIES    135 

A.I.      Letterman  Army  Medical  Center    135 

A.2.      Letterman's  Buildings 139 

B.  Crissy  Field    144 

C.  U.S.  Coast  Guard  Station  Fort  Point   149 

D.  San  Francisco  National  Cemetery 157 

E.  Marine  Hospital  (U.S.  Public  Health  Service 

Hospital) 162 

1.  The  Hospital 162 

2.  The  Buildings   167 

F.  Fortifications 169 

1.  Fort  Point    169 

2.  West  and  East  Batteries 169 

3.  The  Modern  Era    171 

4.  Nike  Missiles 179 

G.  Early  Water  System 180 

CHAPTER  9:  THE  LEGACY    185 

APPENDIX  A 

Chronology:  Geography,  Events,  and  Structures,  1847-1990   191 

APPENDIX  B 

Sally  B.  Woodbridge,  Glossary  of  Architectural  Styles 

for  the  Presidio  Buildings 212 

BIBLIOGRAPHY                                                                                                               .  245 


iv 


ILLUSTRATIONS 


1.  Presidio  of  San  Francisco  and  the  Golden  Gate,  1826 x 

2.  Plan,  Castillo  de  San  Joaquin,  ca.  1847 x 

3.  Presidio  of  San  Francisco,  1852 12 

4.  Plan,  Presidio  of  San  Francisco,  1855    15 

5.  Survey,  San  Francisco,  1857    16 

6.  Photograph,  Presidio  of  San  Francisco,  1858 19 

7.  Plan,  Presidio  of  San  Francisco,  1861    20 

8.  Officers'  row,  Funston  Avenue,  ca.  1880 24 

9.  The  Alameda,  officers'  row,  ca.  1880    24 

10.  Powder  magazine,  1863  and  1991 25 

11.  Post  hospital      29 

12.  Plan,  Presidio  of  San  Francisco,  1870    32 

13.  Landscape  views,  1882  and  ca.  1902 33 

14.  •  Enlisted  barracks,  ca.  1880   39 

15.  Plan,  headquarters,  Division  of  the  Pacific 40 

16.  Plan,  first  post  chapel 41 

17.  Cavalry  barracks,  main  post,  ca.  1893  and  1991   45 

18.  Officers'  club,  prior  to  1934 46 

19.  Plan,  Fort  Point  area,  1870 50 

20.  Forest,  southwest  Presidio,  ca.  1930   55 

21.  Architect  D.H.  Burnham's  1905  plan  for  the  Presidio 59 

22.  Maj.  William  Harts'  1907  plan  for  the  Presidio 62 

23.  Lombard  Street  entrance    63 

24.  Brick  barracks,  ca.  1898,  and  brick  BOQ,  1991,  main  post 66 

25.  Artillery  troops  at  battery  practice,  ca.  1901 67 

26.  Cavalry  barracks  built  1902   71 

27.  Volunteer  camps,  Spanish-American  War,  1898    72 

28.  East  Cantonment,  ca.  1907 72 

29.  Map,  East  and  West  Cantonments,  1912 73 

30.  Map,  main  post  and  general  hospital,  1912    74 

31.  Officers  quarters,  Infantry  Terrace,  1925 83 

32.  Fire,  the  Funston  quarters,  1915 87 

33.  Presidio  fire  station,  1991 88 

34.  Barracks  35  (Ninth  Corps  Area  headquarters)    91 

35.  Cavalry  stables 91 

36.  Officers'  quarters,  Fort  Winfield  Scott    92 

37.  Commanding  officer's  quarters,  Fort  Winfield  Scott 92 

38.  Headquarters  building,  Fort  Winfield  Scott    94 

39.  Barracks,  Fort  Winfield  Scott    94 

40.  Stockade  (guardhouse),  Fort  Winfield  Scott   95 

41.  Aerial  photo,  Presidio  main  post,  1925 100 

42.  Aerial  photo,  parade  ground  area,  Presidio,  1925 103 

43.  Noncommissioned  officers'  club,  Fort  Winfield  Scott 109 

44.  Noncommissioned  officers'  housing,  Presidio  of  San  Francisco    109 

45.  Cooks  and  Bakers  school  (Presidio  post  headquarters) 110 

46.  Barracks  38  (Sixth  U.S.  Army  headquarters) 110 


47.  Presidio  Officers'  Club,  1991    114 

48.  Central  Reserve  Magazine   115 

49.  Map,  mobilization  construction,  Areas  A  and  B 119 

50.  Aerial  photo,  Fort  Scott,  Presidio,  San  Francisco,  ca.  1945    121 

51.  Aerial  photo,  Letterman  General  Hospital,  1957 128 

52.  Map,  Wherry  housing,  1987 129 

53.  Noncommissioned  Officers'  Club,  Presidio    134 

54.  Chapel  of  Our  Lady 134 

55.  Letterman  General  Hospital,  ca.  1910 137 

56.  Letterman  General  Hospital,  1991    137 

57.  Corridor,  pavilion-type  hospital,  Letterman 140 

58.  Crissy  Field        147 

59.  Officers'  quarters,  Crissy  Field 148 

60.  Bachelor  Officers'  Quarters,  Crissy  Field    148 

61.  Commander's  quarters,  Fort  Point  Coast  Guard  Station 153 

62.  Fort  Point  Coast  Guard  Station    153 

63.  Map,  Fort  Point  Coast  Guard  Station 154 

64.  Plan,  San  Francisco  National  Cemetery    160 

65.  U.S.  Marine  Hospital,  ca.  1929 164 

66.  Hospital,  Marine  Hospital    165 

67.  Nurses'  residence,  Marine  Hospital   165 

68.  Aerial,  Fort  Winfield  Scott  fortifications 170 

69.  Mine  loading  buildings,  Submarine  Mine  Depot,  Fort  Scott 176 

70.  Harbor  Defense  Command  Post,  Battery  Dynamite 177 

71.  Presidio  of  San  Francisco,  ca.  1867 189 

72.  Presidio  of  San  Francisco,  ca.  1890 190 


VI 


PREFACE 


With  research  and  writing  limited  to  a  mere  six  months,  its  objective  restricted  to  informing 
park  planners  briefly  regarding  the  overall  history  and  development  of  the  Presidio,  with 
primary  focus  on  major  events  and  buildings  still  standing,  this  history  makes  no  pretense 
to  being  a  thorough  history  of  the  Presidio  of  San  Francisco.  That  would  require  several 
volumes  and  several  years  work,  and  could  not  be  done  in  the  short  time  or  in  the  fewer  than 
200  pages  devoted  to  this  study.  This  history  was  undertaken  pursuant  to  Work  Order  1, 
Presidio  Cultural  Resources,  issued  by  the  Presidio  Planning  Team,  National  Park  Service, 
dated  September  21,  1990,  with  a  Clarification  of  Scope  dated  February  6,  1991.  The  National 
Park  Service  expects  in  the  future  to  undertake  a  more  comprehensive  study  of  the  history 
of  the  Presidio  of  San  Francisco. 


vn 


ABBREVIATIONS  USED 

AAG  Assistant  Adjutant  General 

ACP  Appointment,  Commission,  and  Personal  file  (maintained  on  army  officers) 

AAQM  Acting  Assistant  Quartermaster 

AQMG  Assistant  Quartermaster  General 

CCC  Civilian  Conservation  Corps 

CCF  Consolidated  Correspondence  File  (Quartermaster  records) 

CE  Corps  of  Engineers 

CG  Commanding  General 

DEH  Directorate  of  Engineering  and  Housing  (Presidio) 

GCGF  General  Correspondence  Geographical  File  (Quartermaster  records) 

LSS  Life  Saving  Service  and  Life  Saving  Station 

NA  National  Archives 

OCE  Office  of  the  Chief  of  Engineers 

OQMG  Office  of  the  Quartermaster  General 

ORS  Official  Records  of  the  Civil  War 

PAM  Presidio  Army  Museum 

PSF  Presidio  of  San  Francisco 

QMG  Quartermaster  General 

RG  Record  Group 

ROTC  Reserve  Officers  Training  Corps 

USCG  United  States  Coast  Guard 

USN  United  States  Navy 

USS  United  States  Ship 

WAC  Women's  Army  Corps 

WPA  Works  Progress  Administration 


viii 


ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS 


The  military  records  of  the  U.S.  Army  located  in  the  National  Archives,  Washington,  D.C., 
and  in  the  San  Francisco  Branch  of  the  National  Archives  concerning  the  Presidio  of  San 
Francisco,  Fort  Winfield  Scott,  and  Letterman  Army  Medical  Center  from  1847  on,  contributed 
significantly  to  this  special  history  study.  My  sincere  appreciation  goes  to  Archivists  Richard 
Boyland  and  Kathy  Jacobs  in  Washington,  and  Waverly  Lowell  and  Richard  Boyden  in  San 
Francisco. 

Thanks  are  extended  to  Steve  Farneth  and  Cathleen  Malmstrom,  Architectural  Resources 
Group,  San  Francisco,  for  administrative  support  throughout  the  course  of  the  study.  Also, 
Roger  Kelley  Brown,  Frank  Williss,  and  Carey  Feierabend  of  the  Presidio  Planning  Team,  and 
Craig  Frazier,  all  of  the  Denver  Service  Center,  National  Park  Service,  helped  to  keep  the 
work  on  track  and  almost  within  the  schedule. 

For  extensive  historical  resources  pertaining  to  the  study  I  thank  many  people  including 
Kristen  Baron-Lang,  Presidio  Planning  Team;  Regional  Historian  Gordon  Chappell,  Western 
Regional  Office,  NPS;  Historian  Ed  Olson,  U.S.  Coast  Guard,  Alameda,  CA;  David  Warner, 
Chief,  and  Leila  Peete,  both  of  the  Directorate  of  Engineering  and  Housing,  Presidio  of  San 
Francisco,  U.S.  Army;  Colonel  Milton  B.  Halsey,  Jr.,  Executive  Director,  Fort  Point  and 
Presidio  Historical  Association;  Frank  McGrane,  former  director,  J.  Edward  Greene,  Theodore 
Shaner,  and  Cindy  Herrick,  Presidio  Army  Museum;  and  Dr.  Martin  K.  Gordon,  Chief 
Historian,  U.S.  Army  Corps  of  Engineers,  Fort  Belvoir,  VA. 

And  a  special  thanks  is  extended  to  Sally  Woodbridge  whose  superb  knowledge  concerning 
historical  architecture  is  evident  throughout  this  study.  Sally's  cheerful  sharing  of  knowledge 
was  an  education  in  architectural  terms,  concepts,  and  history.  Finally,  I  warmly  thank  Joan 
Huff  who  so  skillfully  prepared  the  manuscript  on  her  magical  word  processor.  All  these 
contributions  have  assisted  immeasurably  in  the  completion  of  the  study. 

Erwin  N.  Thompson 
Golden,  Colorado,  1991 


IX 


1.  Mexican  flag  flying  over  the  Presidio  of  San  Francisco,  1826.  Drawing  by  Capt.  W.  Smyth,  British  Royal 

Navy.  National  Archives,  Still  Pictures  lll-SC-92835 


Plan  of  the  Spanish/Mexican  fortification, 
Castillo  de  San  Joaquin,  at  Fort  Point,  ca. 
1847,  by  Capt.  W.H.  Warner,  U.S.  Army. 
National  Archives,  Cartographic  Branch 


INTRODUCTION 


Early  in  the  twentieth  century  an  American  army  officer  wrote  that  the  military  post  on  the 
San  Francisco  headlands  at  the  Golden  Gate,  the  Presidio  of  San  Francisco,  possessed  great 
beauty  and  probably  no  other  military  post  in  the  world  had  such  a  magnificent  location  and 
commanding  position.  Even  before  then,  the  Presidio's  history  had  been  long  and  varied. 

In  1776  Capt.  Juan  Agustin  Bautista  de  Anza  formally  took  possession  of  these  headlands  in 
the  name  of  the  king  of  Spain.  During  the  winter  of  1776-1777  Lt.  Jose  Joaquin  Moraga 
oversaw  the  construction  of  a  military  camp  in  a  sheltered  vale  inland  from  the  headlands 
and  named  it  the  Presidio  of  San  Francisco  in  honor  of  St.  Francis  of  Assisi.  The  garrison's 
duties  included  guarding  the  nearby  Mission  Dolores  and  controlling  the  Indians  of  the  area. 
Also,  its  commandant  received  instructions  to  regulate  the  coming  and  going  of  foreign  ships, 
be  they  British,  French,  Russian,  or  American. 

This  coastal  presidio  marked  the  northernmost  advance  of  Spain's  American  empire  at  a  time 
of  intense  international  rivalry  among  Western  powers  in  the  North  Pacific.  In  1793  Governor 
Jose  Joaquin  Arrillaga  directed  the  construction  of  a  fortification,  Castillo  de  San  Joaquin,  on 
the  northernmost  headland  that  had  been  named  Punta  del  Cantil  Blanco  (White  Cliff  Point), 
which  point  Americans  later  named  Fort  Point,  about  a  mile  and  a  half  from  the  Presidio. 
Priests  christened  and  blessed  the  new  work  on  December  8,  1794.  The  Spanish  Viceroy 
considered  its  cost  of  more  than  6,000  pesos  to  be  quite  a  large  sum. 

In  the  years  that  followed,  storms  and  earthquakes  attacked  the  mostly  adobe  presidio  and 
fort.  The  small  garrison  force  and  Indian  laborers  made  repairs  when  funds  became  available. 
Ignored  by  the  Spanish  crown  and  the  viceroy  of  New  Spain,  who  had  their  own  problems 
in  Europe  and  in  the  Americas,  the  Presidio  of  San  Francisco  declined  steadily  after  1810 
despite  a  spurt  in  repairs  in  1815.  With  the  collapse  of  Spain's  colonial  efforts  in  Mexico  in 
1821,  officials  in  upper  California,  including  those  at  the  Presidio,  changed  their  allegiance  to 
the  new  Mexican  government  which,  however,  paid  as  little  attention  to  the  welfare  of  the 
northern  colonies  than  as  had  the  viceroy.  Then,  in  1834,  Commander  Mariano  Vallejo  moved 
the  garrison  north  to  Sonoma,  leaving  a  small  caretaking  detachment  at  the  Presidio. 

During  the  1830s  the  pueblo  of  Yerba  Buena,  on  a  cove  east  of  the  Presidio  and  later  known 
as  San  Francisco,  slowly  grew  in  size.  Its  earliest  inhabitants  included  Europeans,  Americans, 
and  Mexicans.  In  the  1840s  the  United  States  government  became  increasingly  interested  in 
acquiring  upper  California  from  Mexico.  Anglo  residents  in  the  Mexican  province,  hearing 


rumors  of  war,  became  apprehensive.  Then,  in  May  1846,  the  United  States  declared  war  on 
the  Republic  of  Mexico. 

Even  before  then,  in  March,  Lt.  John  C.  Fremont,  U.S.  Army,  leading  a  military  exploring 
party,  entered  California  from  the  Oregon  Country.  American  residents,  with  Fremont's 
encouragement,  "captured"  Governor  Vallejo  (who  favored  American  annexation)  in  June  and 
declared  themselves  a  republic  (Bear  Flag  Rebellion).  Fremont  then  took  command  of  the 
ragged  force  and  marched  toward  the  Presidio  of  San  Francisco,  where  his  party  spiked  the 
cannon  in  Castillo  de  San  Joaquin.  (The  bronze  gun  San  Pedro  in  front  of  the  Officers'  Club 
still  had  the  Fremont  party's  spike  in  its  touchhole  in  1992.)  About  the  same  time  Commodore 
John  D.  Sloat,  U.S.  Navy,  captured  the  California  capital  of  Monterey  and  officially  raised  the 
United  States  flag  over  California. 

For  nearly  150  years  the  United  States  Army  maintained  a  garrison  at  the  Presidio.  In  the 
beginning  the  number  of  soldiers  remained  small,  especially  when  the  California  Gold  Rush 
tempted  the  men  to  desert.  Nevertheless,  the  army  post  in  San  Francisco  Bay  established  a 
federal  presence  in  the  new  territory  during  the  period  of  military  government  and  afterward. 
Officers  surveyed  the  area  and  recommended  boundaries  for  military  reservations.  From  time 
to  time  the  garrison  marched  out  and  attempted  to  settle  differences  between  miner  and 
Indian.  A  Spanish /Mexican  adobe  from  the  old  regime  evolved  into  an  officers'  club  and 
remnants  of  the  ancient  structure  still  reside  within  the  walls  of  the  present  building. 

With  the  coming  of  the  Civil  War,  the  Presidio's  strength  exploded  to  more  than  1,500 
soldiers  who  manned  the  harbor  defenses,  marched  east  and  south  to  quell  secessionists,  and 
assisted  in  maintaining  order  among  the  growing  populations  in  the  Bay  Area.  In  the  1870s 
and  beyond,  Presidio  troops  played  a  role  in  the  Indian  wars  in  the  West,  suffering  significant 
casualties  in  the  Modoc  War  especially. 

Beginning  with  the  large  masonry  Fort  Point  in  the  1860s,  the  artillery  troops  manned  the 
Presidio's  and  Fort  Winfield  Scott's  coastal  batteries  through  the  Spanish  American  War, 
World  War  I,  and  a  large  array  of  weapons  in  World  War  II.  Fort  Scott  also  served  as  the 
headquarters  for  all  the  coastal  defenses  of  the  Bay  Area,  from  Point  Reyes  in  the  north  to 
Fort  Funston  in  the  south. 

Between  1847  and  1941,  the  Presidio's  garrison  included  combat  troops  in  addition  to  the 
Coast  Artillery  Corps.  Infantry,  Cavalry,  and  Field  Artillery  trained  and  went  forth  to  duty 
when  called.  During  the  Spanish-American  War  and  the  Filipino  Insurrection,  thousands  of 
volunteers  and  regular  troops  mustered  at  the  Presidio  prior  to  going  overseas.  Cavalry 


troopers  guarded  the  national  parks  in  California.  An  infantry  brigade,  organized  at  the 
Presidio,  guarded  the  troubled  border  with  Mexico  1914-1916.  Following  the  Panama-Pacific 
International  Exposition  of  1915  and  World  War  I,  Presidio's  soldiers  took  part  in  the  Siberian 
Expedition  during  the  Russian  Revolution  to  rescue  a  Czech  army  from  the  Bolsheviks. 
Beautification  of  the  reservation  became  an  important  element  in  the  planning  of  the  1880s 
and  subsequent  years,  resulting  in  the  forests  and  glens  of  the  twentieth  century  that  make 
the  reservation  a  place  of  magnificent  vistas  and  quiet  charm. 

For  a  decade  in  the  1870s-'80s,  the  Presidio  served  as  the  headquarters  of  the  Military 
Division  of  the  Pacific  and  the  Department  of  California.  For  a  short  time  following  the  1906 
Earthquake,  at  which  time  the  Presidio  assisted  the  city  in  its  great  disaster  and  provided 
camps  for  refugees,  army  headquarters  returned  to  the  post,  their  city  offices  having  been 
destroyed.  Then,  in  1920,  the  Army's  western  headquarters  returned  to  the  Presidio 
permanently.  During  World  War  II,  the  Western  Defense  Command  assumed  responsibility 
for  the  defense  of  the  West  Coast.  The  Presidio  now  became  the  nerve  center  for  army 
operations  in  the  defense  of  the  western  United  States  including,  for  a  time,  Alaska.  Following 
the  war,  Sixth  U.S.  Army,  headquartered  in  the  huge  barracks  on  the  main  parade,  assumed 
responsibility  for  the  Army's  operations  in  the  western  third  of  the  United  States. 

The  Presidio  of  San  Francisco  accommodated  a  variety  of  other  missions  over  the  years. 
Beginning  with  the  Civil  War,  the  Army  established  a  cemetery  west  of  the  main  post.  In  1884 
it  became  the  San  Francisco  National  Cemetery,  containing  the  remains  of  the  famous  and  the 
unknown,  generals  and  privates.  In  1890  the  Treasury  Department  established  the  Fort  Point 
Life  Saving  Station  in  Lower  Presidio.  Its  role  became  ever  more  important  when  eventually 
it  became  the  sole  such  station  in  the  Bay  Area  until  the  U.S.  Coast  Guard  replaced  it  with 
a  new  station  at  Fort  Baker  in  Marin  County  in  1990. 

Near  the  southwest  corner  of  the  Presidio's  1,440  acres  stood  the  Marine  Hospital.  Established 
there  in  1875,  it  provided  medical  care  for  merchant  seamen  of  all  nations  who  were  stranded 
on  San  Francisco's  shores.  The  hospital,  enlarged  in  1932,  provided  such  care  until  its  closure 
in  1981.  Beginning  with  the  Spanish-American  War,  the  Army's  Letterman  General  Hospital, 
near  the  reservation's  northeast  corner,  became  one  of  the  more  important  army  medical 
institutions  in  the  nation.  In  World  War  II  it  became  the  principal  mainland  hospital  for  the 
reception  of  all  the  wounded  and  sick  from  the  Pacific  Theater.  In  the  last  year  of  the  war, 
1945,  no  fewer  than  72,000  patients  passed  through  Letterman.  Daily  hospital  trains  carried 
them  on  to  other  destinations  across  the  nation. 


One  of  trie  more  colorful  tenants  of  the  reservation,  the  fledgling  Air  Service  of  the  U.S. 
Army,  established  Crissy  Field  in  the  Lower  Presidio  in  1921.  This  early  army  airfield 
undertook  a  variety  of  missions  including  assisting  the  Coast  Artillery  Corps  in  the  training 
of  its  gun  crews,  publicizing  the  glamour  of  flying  in  those  early  years  of  flight,  assisting  in 
fighting  forest  fires  in  California,  providing  aerial  photographs  of  West  Coast  cities  and 
geographical  features,  and,  most  unusual,  flying  archeologists  over  the  Southwest  deserts 
while  they  recorded  prehistoric  irrigation  systems  and  ancient  transportation  routes. 
Construction  of  the  magnificent  Golden  Gate  Bridge  in  the  1930s  brought  an  end  to  Crissy 
Field,  as  well  as  impacting  the  Presidio  in  general. 

The  generations  of  Army  Blue  that  passed  through  the  Presidio's  gates  have  given  posterity 
a  fascinating  history  of  a  strategic,  important,  and  glorious  old  army  post. 


CHAPTER  1:  THE  BEGINNINGS  1846-1861 


A.         Takeover 

Early  in  July  1846  Brevet  Captain  John  Charles  Fremont  borrowed  some  rat-tail  files 
and  a  small  boat  from  a  Yankee  trader  at  Sausalito  and  with  twelve  men  crossed  the  entrance 
to  San  Francisco  Bay  to  the  southern  headlands.  Landing  at  Punta  del  Cantil  Blanco  (today's 
Fort  Point)  he  occupied  the  undefended  Castillo  de  San  Joaquin.  In  his  memoirs  he  wrote  that 
an  expert  gunsmith  in  his  crew  spiked  the  fourteen  "long  brass  Spanish  pieces"  they  found 
at  the  battery.  Perhaps  more  important  than  this  temporary  American  occupation  of  the 
ancient  Presidio  of  San  Francisco,  Fremont  named  the  entrance  to  San  Francisco  Bay  the 
Golden  Gate.1 

In  early  July,  also,  Commodore  John  D.  Sloat,  U.S.N.,  captured  Monterey  and  ordered  Captain 
John  B.  Montgomery,  USS  Portsmouth,  to  occupy  Yerba  Buena  (San  Francisco).  A  naval  party 
of  seventy  men  landed  on  July  9  and  hoisted  the  stars  and  stripes  in  front  of  the  custom 
house.  Thus  ended  the  international  rivalry  for  magnificent  San  Francisco  Bay.  Navy 
Lieutenant  Jonathan  S.  Misroon  led  a  small  detachment  across  the  sand  dunes  to  the  castillo. 
After  observing  the  spiked  cannon  (he  said  three  brass  and  seven  iron)  he  displayed  the  U.S. 
flag  over  the  fortification.  He  also  visited  the  abandoned  presidio  before  returning  to  town.2 

Brig.  Gen.  Stephen  Watts  Kearny,  veteran  of  the  Mexican  War  battles,  established  the 
headquarters  of  the  10th  Military  Department  (California)  at  Monterey  in  February  1847, 
marking  the  beginning  of  stable  military  government  in  the  new  territory.  Among  his  staff 
officers  one  could  find  such  future  stalwarts  as  Henry  Wager  Halleck,  Edward  O.C.  Ord, 
William  T.  Sherman,  George  Stoneman,  and  Philip  St.  George  Cooke,  all  of  whom  would 
become  household  names.  Colonel  Richard  Barnes  Mason,  regimental  commander  of  the  1st 


1.  John  Charles  Fremont,  Memoirs  of  My  Life  (Chicago,  1887),  1:525;  Mary  Lee  Spence  and  Donald  Jackson, 
eds..  The  Expeditions  of  John  Charles  Fremont,  vol.  2,  The  Bear  Flag  Revolt  and  the  Court  Martial  (Urbana:  University 
of  Illinois  Press,  1973),  p.  183.  In  a  letter  to  his  father-in  law,  U.S.  Senator  Thomas  H.  Benton,  July  25,  1846, 
Fremont  wrote  that  he  spiked  "six  large  and  handsome  pieces." 

2.  Alcalde  Washington  A.  Bartlett,  U.S.N.,  without  authority,  ordered  the  town's  name  changed  from  Yerba 
Buena  to  San  Francisco  on  January  23,  1857.  Lawrence  Kinnaird,  "History  of  the  Golden  Gate  and  its  Headlands," 
MS  (1962-1967),  pp.  181-182  and  188;  Malcom  Edwards,  ed.,  The  California  Diary  of  General  E.D.  Townsend  (Ward 
Richie  Press,  1970),  p.  76;  Hubert  Howe  Bancroft,  Works,  vol.  22,  History  of  California,  vol.  5,  1846-1848  (San 
Francisco,  1886),  pp  238-240  and  241  n. 


Dragoons, -joined  Kearny's  command  in  February  and  took  charge  of  the  troops  in  California 
while  Kearny  continued  on  as  military  governor  until  May  when  Mason  succeeded  him.3 

Mustered  in  on  August  1,  1846,  the  7th  New  York  Volunteers  (later,  these  infantrymen  were 
renumbered  the  1st  New  York)  departed  New  York  City  in  September,  bound  for  California. 
Col.  Jonathan  D.  Stevenson  led  seven  companies  (28  officers,  384  enlisted  men)  into  the 
Presidio  of  San  Francisco  in  March  1847.  Before  the  end  of  April,  Stevenson  and  most  of  the 
complement  marched  off  to  Monterey,  Sonoma,  and  Santa  Barbara,  leaving  Maj.  James  A. 
Hardie  in  charge  of  a  Presidio  garrison  of  ten  officers  and  164  enlisted  men.  In  addition  to 
the  volunteers,  Capt.  Joseph  L.  Folsom,  5th  Infantry  Regiment,  attached  himself  to  the 
garrison  while  he  established  a  quartermaster  supply  depot  in  San  Francisco. 

It  took  a  while  for  the  discovery  of  gold  near  Sacramento  in  January  1848  to  have  a 
deleterious  effect  on  the  Presidio's  military  strength.  The  post  returns  for  January  showed  an 
enlisted  strength  of  105  men.  By  July  eighty  men  were  still  on  the  rolls.  But  a  month  later 
news  of  the  peace  treaty  of  Guadalupe  Hidalgo  reached  California;  the  volunteers  who  had 
not  already  deserted  mustered  out  and  the  post's  enlisted  strength  plunged  to  twenty.  Even 
that  figure  was  reached  only  by  the  arrival  of  Lieutenant  Stoneman  and  twelve  dragoons  from 


Department  Returns,  10th  Department,  1847-1851, 8th-llth  Military  Departments,  Territorial  Departments, 
Office  of  the  Adjutant  General,  Record  Group  94,  National  Archives,  Washington,  D.C.  Hereinafter  cited  as  RG 
and  NA;  Theodore  Grivas,  Military  Governments  in  California,  1846-1850  (Glendale,  Arthur  H.  Clark,  1963),  pp.  75-78 
and  101-109.  Because  so  many  writers  have  stated  erroneously  that  the  various  higher  commands  were  stationed 
at  the  Presidio  during  this  period,  note  is  made  that  in  addition  to  the  10th  Military  Department  (California),  its 
superior  command,  the  Pacific  Division  (California  and  the  Pacific  Northwest)  became  active  in  1849.  In  February 
Brevet  Brig.  Gen.  Persifor  F.  Smith  and  his  staff  arrived  in  San  Francisco  to  head  the  division.  Smith  appointed 
William  Tecumseh  Sherman  as  his  adjutant  general  and  opened  an  office  in  San  Francisco  rather  than  Monterey. 
He  located  quarters  in  an  old  Hudson's  Bay  Company  house  on  Montgomery  Street.  But  the  city's  weather  was 
more  than  the  general  cared  to  bear,  "That  was  a  dull,  hard  winter  in  San  Francisco;  the  rains  were  heavy,  and 
the  mud  fearful."  Before  long,  Smith  decided  to  move  his  headquarters  to  Sonoma.  In  1851  the  10th  Military 
Department,  then  at  Benicia,  merged  with  the  Division  and  the  new  organization  under  the  title  Department  of 
the  Pacific  established  a  headquarters  in  San  Francisco,  probably  in  June  1852.  It  remained  in  the  city  for  the  next 
two  years.  Quarters  and  offices  for  the  Department's  twelve  staff  officers,  clerks,  orderlies,  etc.,  were  non-existent 
at  the  Presidio  and  they  sought  lodging  in  the  city.  In  September  1854  the  Department  moved  to  Benicia  where 
it  remained  until  January  1857.  Department  Returns,  10th  Department  1847-1851  and  1853-1857,  Office  of  the 
Adjutant  General,  RG  94,  NA;  Sherman,  Memoirs,  pp.  32,  64,  and  66-68;  B.H.  Liddell-Hart,  Sherman,  Soldier,  Realist, 
American  (New  York:  Frederick  A.  Praeger,  1958),  pp.  24-25.  Sherman's  first  description  of  San  Francisco:  "and  a 
more  desolate  region  it  was  impossible  to  conceive  of." 

4.  At  this  time  Hardie,  a  West  Point  graduate,  was  a  first  lieutenant  in  the  regular  army.  Post  Returns, 

Presidio  of  San  Francisco,  Roll  967,  March  1847-December  1859),  Microcopy  617,  NA,  Washington.  The  first  returns 
were  titled  "Post  Return  of  San  Francisco  California."  Beginning  in  August  1851  the  name  changed  to  "Post  Return 
of  the  Presidio  of  San  Francisco,  Cal."  That  same  return  made  reference  to  General  Orders  34,  Headquarters  of  the 
Army,  June  25,  1851,  "making  changes  in  the  names  of  certain  posts."  Nevertheless,  on  May  24,  1938,  the  War 
Department  issued  General  Orders  3,  naming  the  reservation  "Presidio  of  San  Francisco,  San  Francisco,  Calif."  See 
also  Bancroft,  California,  1846-1848,  5:  499-515,  for  additional  data  on  the  New  York  Volunteers;  Sherman,  Memoirs, 
p.  26;  and  "Historic  Preservation  Papers,"  File  R-5,  Master  Plans  Office,  Directorate  of  Engineering  and  Housing 
(hereinafter  cited  as  DEH),  Presidio  of  San  Francisco  (PSF). 


Monterey.  A  company  officer  wrote  in  his  diary  on  May  28,  1848,  "Last  night  about  18  men 
deserted  for  the  purpose  of  working  in  the  gold  mines  nine  of  them  from  my  company."  A 
few  weeks  later  he  recounted  the  fate  of  captured  deserters,  "Twelve  Deserters  flogged  49 
lashes  each."  The  U.S.  Navy  took  a  different  tack  toward  deserters.  January  4,  1849,  the 
commander  of  U.S.  Naval  Forces  in  the  Pacific,  Thomas  ap  Catesby  Jones,  published  a  notice 
in  the  Alia  California  newspaper  inviting  naval  deserters  who  were  freezing  in  the  Sierra 
winter  to  return  to  their  ships  to  receive  Jones's  "clemency  and  forbearance." 

The  remaining  months  of  1848  brought  further  drastic  reductions  and  by  the  end  of  the  year 
the  Presidio  garrison  stood  at  three  officers  and  thirteen  men.  The  following  year  saw  little 
improvement  even  with  the  arrival  of  elements  of  the  regular  army's  3d  Artillery  Regiment. 
Colonel  Mason  at  Monterey  wrote,  "Two  companies  of  regulars,  every  day  diminished  by 
desertions  that  cannot  be  prevented,  will  soon  be  the  only  military  force  in  California;  and 
•  they  will  be  of  necessity  compelled  to  remain  in  San  Francisco  and  Monterey,  to  guard  the 
large  deposits  of  powder  and  munitions  of  war,  which  cannot  be  removed."  He  noted  that 
the  Army  paid  privates  $7  a  month  while  a  man  in  the  gold  fields  earned  $10-$20  per  day. 
Mason  sighed  that  he  had  to  prepare  his  own  meals  because  his  cook  had  deserted  for  the 
mines.5 

Evidence  of  the  Army's  weakness  became  clear  in  San  Francisco  in  the  first  half  of  1849  when 
a  wave  of  lawlessness  and  intimidation  by  mob  rule  swept  over  the  community.  Discharged 
veterans  of  the  Volunteers  and  assorted  evildoers  and  scoundrels  organized  themselves  as  the 
"Hounds"  and  "Regulators,"  protecting  themselves  from  arrest  but  attacking  others, 
particularly  foreigners.  The  municipal  officers  could  do  nothing  and  the  Army  was  too  weak 
to  intervene.  Finally,  the  better  citizens  of  the  city  organized  themselves  into  a  police  force 
and  arrested  twenty  of  the  ringleaders.  These  were  brought  before  Alcalde  Thaddeus  M. 
Leavenworth,  former  chaplain  to  the  New  York  Volunteers,  and  a  degree  of  law  and  order 
descended  upon  the  community.6 

Despite  the  urgent  need  for  additional  troops  in  northern  California,  Mason  faced  a  dilemma 
early  in  1849.  The  2d  Infantry  Regiment  sailed  from  the  East  Coast  and  expected  to  arrive  in 
California  in  April.  Although  he  needed  the  troops  in  the  Bay  Area,  Mason  directed  the 
commanding  officer  in  San  Diego  to  retain  the  entire  regiment  in  that  area.  If  they  came  on 


5.  Post  Returns  for  1848-1849,  Presidio,  Roll  967,  Microcopy  617,  NA;  Grivas,  Military  Governments,  pp.  126- 
127;  John  P.  Langellier  and  Daniel  Bernard  Rosen,  Bastion  by  the  Bay:  El  Presidio  dc  San  Francisco  Under  Spain  and 
Mexico,  1776-1846  [1991],  p.  70;  Lieutenant  Kimball,  1st  New  York  Volunteers,  Diary,  May  28  and  August  1,  1848, 
California  Historical  Society;  Daily  Alta  California,  January  4,  1849. 

6.  Grivas,  Military  Governments,  pp.  128  and  201-202. 

7 


to  San  Francisco  they  too  would  desert.  Not  until  December  did  a  2d  Infantry  company  arrive 
at  the  Presidio.7 

Capt.  Erasmus  D.  Keyes,  3d  Artillery,  replaced  Hardie  as  commanding  officer  in  May  1849. 
From  his  pen  one  learns  that  five  apprehended  deserters  deserted  again  in  June,  "there  being 
no  guard  house  at  the  Post."  July  was  worse  when  twelve  soldiers  deserted.  Also,  the 
garrison's  first  death  was  recorded  that  month.  Two  more  deaths  occurred  in  October  1849 
and  May  1850  and  a  post  cemetery  came  into  being.  Desertions  continued  into  the  1850s,  but 
at  a  reduced  rate. 


B.          The  Indians 

When  the  military  government  of  California  ended  in  the  last  days  of  1849,  army 
forces  became  free  to  pay  full  attention  to  Indian-miner  conflicts.  The  general  attitude 
expressed  in  the  mining  camps  by  1850  called  for  the  extermination  of  all  Indians  in 
California.  The  Army  found  itself  in  another  dilemma,  either  fight  the  Indians  with  whom  it 
sympathized  or  protect  them  from  those  miners  who  demanded  their  elimination.  In  fact,  the 
Army  in  this  period  remained  too  weak  to  do  either. 

In  September  1849,  a  department  officer,  Capt.  William  H.  Warner,  Topographical  Engineers, 
who  had  already  surveyed  the  Presidio  and  other  reservations  in  the  Bay  Area,  set  out  on  an 
exploring  expedition  searching  for  a  railroad  route  in  northeastern  California.  Near  Goose 
Lake,  Pit  River  Indians  ambushed  Warner  and  killed  him  instantly.  The  record  is  silent 
regarding  the  make-up  of  Warner's  party  and  it  is  not  known  if  Presidio  soldiers  were  in  the 
escort.  About  the  same  time  Indians  fell  upon  miners  near  Clear  Lake  north  of  San  Francisco. 
The  following  spring  the  Army  launched  a  campaign  against  both  groups,  inflicting  heavy 
casualties.  Again,  it  is  unknown  whether  the  small  Presidio  garrison  (thirty  men)  took  part 
in  this  affair.8 

In  the  latter  half  of  the  1850s,  however,  the  Presidio's  garrison  was  heavily  involved  in  Indian 
campaigns,  not  in  California  but  in  Washington  Territory.  A  most  capable  officer,  Capt. 
Erasmus  D.  Keyes,  commander  of  Company  M,  3d  Artillery,  and  commanding  officer  of  the 
Presidio  from  May  1849  to  June  1858,  successfully  led  his  troops  in  campaigns  against  Indians 


Erwin  N.  Thompson,  "The  Guns  of  San  Diego,  Three  Centuries  of  San  Diego  Harbor  Defense,  1769-1988," 
MS  (Denver,  1990),  p.  11. 

Robert  M.  Utley,  Frontiersmen  in  Blue,  the  United  States  Army  and  the  Indian,  1848-1865  (New  York: 
Macmillan,  1967),  p.  175;  William  H.  Goetzmann,  Exploration  and  Empire  (New  York:  Alfred  A.  Knopf,  1966),  pp. 
279-280. 

8 


in  both  west  and  east  Washington  in  1855,  1856,  and  in  the  Wright  Campaign  of  1858.  He 
returned  to  the  Presidio  following  the  1856  fighting,  but  at  the  conclusion  of  the  1858  battles 
at  Four  Lakes  and  Spokane  Plain,  duty  took  him  and  Company  M  elsewhere.  During  the  Civil 
War  Keyes  rose  to  the  rank  of  major  general  of  Volunteers.9 

Presidio  troops  engaged  in  one  more  skirmish  before  the  Civil  War.  In  1860,  a  detachment 
from  Company  I,  3d  Artillery,  joined  other  units,  including  miners,  to  squash  an  uprising  of 
Paiute  Indians  who  had  become  antagonistic  toward  miners  in  the  area  of  booming  Virginia 
City,  Nevada.  Although  about  fifty  soldiers  departed  the  Presidio,  only  a  handful  took  part 
in  the  fracas.10 


C.          The  Boundaries 

The  10th  Military  Department  charged  the  officers  of  the  Presidio  of  San  Francisco  to 
protect  the  military  reservations  in  the  Bay  Area  from  squatters  and  claimants.  As  early  as 
1848  Mason  directed  his  staff  to  set  aside  a  reserve  that  embraced  both  the  Presidio  and  Point 
San  Jose  (Fort  Mason).  That  spring  Captain  Warner  arrived  in  the  Bay  Area  and  began  a 
survey  that  resulted  in  President  Millard  Fillmore  signing  an  executive  order  on  November  6, 

1850,  establishing  a  reservation  of  about  10,000  acres.  Citizens  presented  their  claims  for 
portions  of  this  land  and  in  the  end  Fillmore  signed  another  executive  order  on  December  31, 

1851,  modifying  the  earlier  one  and  establishing  two  reservations,  the  Presidio's  acreage  then 
amounting  to  some  2,500  acres.  Despite  the  efforts  of  the  handful  of  officers  at  the  Presidio, 
squatters  settled  on  the  Point  San  Jose  lands  and  on  those  reserves  that  had  been  set  aside  on 
the  east  side  of  San  Francisco,  "Every  effort  was  made  by  the  military  authorities  to  keep  off 
trespassers,  but  they  were  persistent  and  numerous,  and  the  efforts  failed  utterly  so  far  as  the 
Point  San  Jose  Reserve  was  concerned."  The  Army  occupied  the  point  and  evicted  all 
squatters  (including  General  Fremont)  during  the  Civil  War,  but  it  lost  forever  the  eastern 
reserves.11 

In  later  years  the  federal  government  fought,  mostly  successfully,  to  thwart  the  attempts  of 
speculators  and  others  to  acquire  pieces  of  the  Presidio  reservation.  Adjustments  were  made, 


9.  Utley,  Frontiersmen  in  Blue,  pp.  191,  194,  and  204.  Until  1861  "company"  was  in  use  for  the  artillery.  From 
1861  to  1871  "company"  and  "battery"  were  interchangeable.  In  1871  the  Adjutant  General  prescribed  the  term 
"battery."  The  Army  Almanac  (Harrisburg:  Stackpole,  1959),  p.  12. 

10.  Ferol  Egan,  Sand  in  a  Whirlwind,  The  Paiute  Indian  War  of  1860  (Garden  City:  Doubleday,  1972),  pp.  179-180; 
Gordon  Chappell,  Western  Regional  Office,  National  Park  Service,  note  to  writer,  ca.  April  1991. 

11.  Keyes,  July  10,  1852,  to  Maj.  O.  Cross;  and  Maj.  H.G.  Gibson,  March  29, 1880,  to  Chief  of  Engineers,  both 
in  Land  Papers,  Office  of  the  Chief  of  Engineers,  hereinafter  cited  as  OCE,  RG  77,  NA. 


and  easements  and  permits  were  granted.  Finally,  in  1897  the  State  of  California  granted  the 
federal  government  exclusive  jurisdiction  over  all  its  lands  and  ceded  title  to  the  tidelands 
between  the  high  water  mark  and  a  line  300  yards  beyond  the  low  water  mark.12  The 
Presidio's  land  acreage  today  amounts  to  1,440  acres. 


D.         Adobes,  Forts,  and  Other  Matters 

A  visitor  to  the  Presidio  of  San  Francisco  in  1846  described  the  establishment  as 
consisting  "of  adobe  buildings  covered  with  tiles.  The  walls  of  most .  .  .  are  crumbling  for  the 
want  of  care."  He  examined  the  Castillo  noting  that  the  walls  of  burnt  brick  had  nine  or  ten 
embrasures.  It  too  was  falling  into  ruins  and  the  guns  had  been  dismounted.  The  New  York 
Volunteers  left  little  record  of  the  buildings  and  other  structures  they  inherited  from  the 
Mexican  era  when  they  occupied  the  presidio  and  the  Castillo  in  1847.  An  unnamed  member 
of  the  command  wrote,  "we  were  marched  to  the  Presidio,  where  we  found  the  old  Mexican 
barracks  in  a  rather  delapidated  [sic]  condition;  but  in  a  few  days  we  made  quite  a  change 
in  it.  ...  We  settled  down  to  drill,  guard,  and  police  duty."13  The  soldiers  repaired  both  the 
presidio  structures  and  the  old  battery  at  Fort  Point  where  they  installed  armament  for  the- 
defense  of  the  Golden  Gate.  They  also  repaired  the  old  road  that  ran  between  the  presidio 
and  the  Castillo. 

An  1849  visitor  examined  both  sites  although  one  cannot  always  be  certain  which  he 
described.  October  23:  "to  go  west  over  the  height  of  ground  you  come  to  ware  the  land  looks 
as  though  it  would  produce  quite  a  crop  rightly  cultivated,  here  the  old  Spanish  Fort  stands 
...  the  Fort  was  built  of  dobes  and  partly  [illg.]  down  Some  long  brass  [guns?]  lays  here  .  .  . 
our  government  is  a  moving  one  mile  further  to  guard  the  Entranze  of  bay  There  are  40 
soldiers  at  this  place."  December  9:  "You  can  see  cannon  and  balls  on  a  point  where  our 
government  is  a  fixing  a  Fort  to  guard  the  channel."  December  30:  "went  to  the  Fort  about  2/2 
miles  West  of  San  Francisco  Located  on  a  beautifull  spot  of  ground  it  was  built  by  the 
Spaniards  of  dobes  or  mud  dryed  in  the  sun  there  are  some  cannon  &  mortars  balls  &  shells 
...  &  out  of  a  redgment  of  soldiers  stationed  here  there  are  but  forty  left  the  rest  have  run 
away  to  the  mines  &  our  government  have  to  pay  them  five  dollars  a  day  each  to  stay 
thare."14 


12.  [Sixth  U.S.  Army],  "History  of  the  Presidio  of  San  Francisco,  California,"  typescript,  n.d. 

Earle  K.  Stewart  and  Kenneth  S.  Erwin,  [no  title  page,  but  a  history  of  the  Presidio  of  San  Francisco  (San 
Francisco,  1959),  p.  17.  Edwin  Bryant,  What  I  Saw  in  California  (Lincoln:  University  of  Nebraska  Press),  p.  429. 

14.  Cosad,  Diary,  1849-1850,  California  Historical  Society. 

10 


While  Volunteer  officer  Kimball  recorded  that  his  men  worked  on  the  old  Castillo,  and 
another  account  noted  that  the  Army  mounted  four  32-pounders  and  two  8-inch  howitzers 
at  Cantil  Blanco  in  1849,  the  days  of  the  old  Spanish  battery  were  numbered.  In  the  fall  of 
1853  an  engineer  officer  wrote,  "An  old  Spanish  redan  of  brick  which  crowned  the 
promontory  has  been  removed  &  its  material  secured.  The  guns  formerly  mounted  in  this 
work  have  been  removed. 

The  Presidio  received  a  formal  inspection  in  May  1852  when  the  War  Department's  inspector 
general,  Col.  George  A.  McCall,  arrived  on  post.  After  evaluating  the  thirty-three  men  of 
Company  M  and  forty-one  newly  arrived  recruits,  he  turned  his  attention  to  the  physical 
plant.  He  noted  that  the  post  did  not  have  a  hospital  and  that  the  surgeon  lived  in  San 
Francisco  and  visited  the  troops  daily.  The  adobe  officers'  quarters  struck  him  as  being 
"tolerably  comfortable"  but  not  large  enough  to  accommodate  all  the  officers.  He  said  the  post 
was  in  need  of  a  storehouse  for  quartermaster,  subsistence,  and  clothing  supplies.  It  could  be 
built  by  troop  labor.  He  found  the  enlisted  men's  adobe  barrack  rooms  clean  and  in  good 
order  but  made  no  comment  on  their  adequacy.16 

Close  on  the  colonel's  heels,  Capt.  Edward  D.  Townsend,  the  newly  appointed  adjutant 
general  in  the  Division  of  the  Pacific,  visited  the  Presidio  in  June  1852.  He  failed  to  be 
impressed.  Noting  that  it  was  two  or  three  miles  out  of  town  he  decided  that  it  had  served 
as  a  prison  under  Mexican  rule,  "a  place  for  the  gallows,  as  the  name  imports,  and  also  a 
garrison  for  a  small  number  of  soldiers.  A  company  of  U.S.  Artillery  is  now  stationed  there. 
Rows  of  one-story  adobe  buildings  on  two  sides  of  a  square  constitute  the  quarters.  It  is  a 
bleak  and  windy  situation,  not  desirable  as  a  station."  He  added,  "There  are  some  small  farms, 
or  rather  kitchen  gardens,  on  the  road  to  the  Presidio,  and  the  view  of  the  Bay  is  fine  from 
the  high  hills,  but  every  thing  looks  dirty  and  sandy;  you  cannot  word  [avoid?]  the 
impression  that  it  is  a  mean  country."17 


15.  Kimball,  Diary,  entries  for  May  and  June  1848;  Anonymous,  "The  Presidio  of  San  Francisco,  1776-1976," 
typescript,  p.  7  (this  document  appears  to  be  based  on  the  Stewart  and  Erwin  study);  Lt.  William  H.C.  Whiting, 
September  15,  1853,  to  Brig.  Gen.  Joseph  G.  Totten,  Letters  Received  1838-1866,  OCE,  RG  77,  NA. 

16.  Col.  Archibald  A.  McCall,  May  26,  1852,  to  Maj.  Gen.  Winfield  Scott,  Commander-in-Chief,  U.S.  Army, 
Letters  Received  1852,  Office  of  the  Adjutant  General,  RG  94,  NA. 

17.  Malcom  Edwards,  ed.,  The  California  Diary  of  General  E.D.  Townsend  (Ward  Richie  Press,  1970),  pp.  63-64. 

11 


The  Presidio  of  San  Francisco. 


Presidio  of  San  Francisco  in  1852.  The  adobe  building  second  from  the  left  later  became  the  officers'  club. 
Only  remnants  of  (he  walls  remained  in  1990.  National  Archives,  Still  Pictures  lll-SC-91387 


A  storm  blew  the  roof  off  of  the  enlisted  men's  adobe  barracks  on  New  Year's  Eve  1853. 
Captain  Keyes  thought  it  should  be  replaced  with  a  shingle  roof.  The  outcome  resulted  in  the 
Department  of  the  Pacific  ordering  the  construction  of  a  new  barracks.  May  1854:  "The 
Quarter  Master  will,  without  delay  erect  upon  the  ground  at  the  Presidio  .  .  .  barracks  of  two 
Stories  and  one  hundred  and  sixteen  feet  long  for  two  Companies  of  Eighty  men  each."  An 
inspection  by  another  inspector  general,  Col.  Joseph  K.F.  Mansfield,  about  this  time  verified 
the  construction  plans,  "The  quarters  for  the  soldiers  were  miserable  adobe  buildings,  the 
leavings  of  the  Mexican  Government,  but  were  kept  in  good  police  and  order.  And  the 
quarters  for  the  officers  not  much  better.  A  temporary  barrack  for  the  soldiers  has  been 
subsequently  erected  by  order  of  General  [John  E.]  Wool." 

The  Division  must  have  had  long-range  plans  in  mind  when  it  ordered  the  two-story 
barracks.  At  the  time  of  Mansfield's  visit,  the  garrison  enlisted  strength,  present  for  duty, 
amounted  to  three  sergeants,  one  corporal,  and  twenty-nine  privates.  Present  but  not  for  duty 
were  eight  privates  sick,  nine  privates  on  extra  duty,  and  one  corporal  and  four  privates 

12 


confined.  Continuing,  Mansfield  reported  that  "the  store  houses  for  arms  and  clothing  badly 
ventilated  and  not  suitable."  While  no  hospital  had  existed  in  1852,  Mansfield  now  reported 
that  a  hospital  had  been  established  in  adobe  4.  He  wrote  that  it  was  "a  poor  structure,  and 
it  should  be  levelled  as  it  occupies  the  ground  suitable  for  drills,  parades,  etc.,"  and  the  store 
houses  -  "worthless."  Finally,  "a  garden  exists  here,  but  it  was  in  very  bad  order  and  not,  in 
my  opinion,  sufficiently  large,  yet  there  is  land  enough."18 

The  mid-1850s  brought  forth  other  descriptions  of  the  post.  A  visitor  wrote,  with  some 
exaggeration,  "The  old  adobe  buildings,  and  a  portion  of  the  walls  are  there  .  .  .  the  castle  of 
the  Mexican  comandante  and  the  fort  are  now  occupied  by  American  troops;  and  neat,  white- 
washed picket  fences  supply  the  place  of  the  old  walls."19  A  reporter  from  the  Alia  California 
a  couple  of  years  later,  in  1857,  noted  that  the  Army  occupied  the  old  adobe  structures  and 
that  new  wooden  buildings  stood  nearby.20 

Quartermaster  R.W.  Allen  completed  the  first  detailed  report  of  the  American  post,  together 
with  a  plan,  in  1855,  "I  consider  all  these  buildings  excepting  those  numbered  1  &  2  [1,  the 
adobe  officers'  quarters;  2,  the  new  frame  barracks]  of  no  value  whatever  and  the  Post  would 
be  improved  by  their  removal.  They  consist  of  old  Adoba  walls  dilapidated  and  mouldering 
down  from  age  with  ponderous  leaky  roofs.  In  fact  they  are  nothing  now  but  unsightly  mud 
enclosures."  Allen  then  described  each  structure  individually: 

No.  1,  Officers'  Quarters.  "An  Adoba  building  One  story  high  a  poarch  in 
front,  rooms  18x22  feet,  a  small  room  in  rear  of  each  tenement  7  feet  wide,  a 
kitchen  for  use  of  officers.  One  room  used  as  a  mess  room;  two  officers  in  the 
remainder  -  Capt.  E.D.  Keyes  and  Lieut  M.R.  Morgan." 

An  early  American  reference  to  this  structure  referred  to  it  as  the  Spanish  commandante's 
quarters  -  a  belief  that  exists  today.  In  fact,  this  complex  of  six  rooms  was  the  western  half 
of  the  south  row  of  the  Presidio's  structures.  Here  the  Spanish /Mexican  enlisted  men 
established  their  quarters.  Inasmuch  as  the  history  of  this  structure  from  1855  to  1990  can  be 


18.  Keyes,  January  1,  1854,  to  Maj.  R.  Allen,  Consolidated  Correspondence  File,  Office  of  the  Quartermaster 
General,  RG  92,  NA  (hereinafter  cited  as  CCF  and  OQMG);  AAG  E.D.  Townsend,  May  8,  1854,  Special  Orders  42, 
CCF,  OQMG,  RG  92,  NA;  Robert  W.  Frazer,  ed.,  Mansfield  on  the  Condition  of  the  Western  Forts,  1853-54  (Norman: 
University  of  Oklahoma  Press,  1963),  pp.  135-137. 

19.  Kinnaird,  History  of  the  Golden  Gate,  p.  214.  Kinnaird  did  not  name  the  visitor. 

20.  Edwin  C.  Bearss,  Historic  Structure  Report,  Fort  Point  National  Historic  Site,  California  (Denver:  National  Park 
Service,  1973),  p.  103,  quoting  the  Daily  Alta  California,  Oct.  10,  1857. 

13 


fairly  well  established,  the  Table  of  Contents  will  repeatedly  refer  to  it  as  Officers'  Club  in 
order  to  assist  in  tracing  its  continuing  existence.21 

No  2  Barracks  for  soldiers  A  frame  building  two  stories  high  lower  rooms 
35x25  feet,  upper  rooms  40x  25,  two  rooms  in  rear  used  as  mess  rooms  40x12 
feet,  but  one  story  high. 

No  3  Old  Adoba  Barracks  the  dimensions  of  which  are  105x20  feet.  It  is 
subdivided  into  six  rooms,  the  first  20x20  now  used  as  a  guard  room.  The 
second  same  size  temporarily  partitioned  and  used  as  a  prison  and  Company 
Clothing  room.  The  third  same  size  occupied  by  Laundress.  The  4th  30x20  feet 
is  used  as  a  store  house  for  Quarter  Masters  property.  Fifth  20x15  feet 
occupied  by  Laundress.  6th  uninhabitable. 

No.  4  60x20  feet  Old  adoba  used  as  a  Hospital.  The  two  adjoining  rooms  are 
uninhabitable. 

No.  5  Old  dilapidated  adoba  unfit  for  occupation.  Corner  room  20x20  used  as 
a  stable,  the  other  part  of  the  building  of  no  value. 

« 

Allen's  sketch  shows  still  another  structure  on  the  west  side  of  the  complex  and  within  the 
walls.  The  plan  states,  "Old  walls  fallen  down  House  of  no  vlaue."  The  plan  appears  to  show 
porches  or  galenas  in  front  of  structures  1,  2,  and  3,  and  the  whole  compound  may  be 
enclosed  by  a  fence  or  wall,  or  both.22 

Two  years  later,  in  1857,  Captain  Keyes  forwarded  to  the  Department  the  report  of  a  board 
of  officers  on  the  Presidio's  structures.  Of  particular  interest  is  the  inclusion  of  nine  structures 
rather  than  Allen's  five.  As  for  Officers'  Quarters  1,  which  the  report  called  "A",  he 
recommended  that  it  be  given  to  the  laundresses  despite  the  Army  having  already  spent  a 
large  amount  of  money  on  it.  The  wood  frame  barracks,  2  or  "B",  remained  in  good  condition 
but  needed  a  first  sergeant's  room  and  a  mess  room  for  noncommissioned  officers. 

The  old  adobe,  3  or  "C",  was  still  used  by  married  men,  storerooms,  and  guard  and  prison 
rooms;  the  board  considered  it  to  be  in  decay,  dilapidated,  and  dangerous.  The  hospital,  "D", 
"recently  erected,  "replaced  the  old  adobe  hospital,  no.  4.  The  board  judged  its  condition  as 
good.  Block  "E",  described  as  an  adobe,  probably  had  been  a  part  of  the  old  adobe  hospital, 
no.  4.  Similarly,  Block  "F",  an  adobe  laundress'  quarters,  was  probably  another  part  of  the  old 


21.  Langellier  and  Rosen,  Bastion  by  the  Bay,  "List  of  Illustrations  and  Figures". 

22.  AAQM  R.W.  Allen,  March  15,  1855,  to  Maj.  O.  Cross,  Chief  QM,  Pacific  Division,  and  Diagram  of  Public 
Buildings  at  the  Presidio  of  San  Francisco,  CCF,  OQMG,  RG  92,  NA. 

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4.  Plan  of  the  Presidio  of  San  Francisco,  1855,  by  Capt.  Robert  Allen,  U.S.  Army.  National  Archives,  OQMG, 

RG  92 


15 


Surveyed  by  A.F.RODGERS  Sub-assis 


1857 


Scale 


10,000 


Section  from  a  survey  of  San  Francisco  showing  the  Presidio  and  its  roads  in  1857.  National  Archives, 
Cartographic  Division 


16 


hospital.  Both  E  and  F  were  in  bad  shape.  The  board  described  Block  "I"  as  a  subsistence 
storehouse.  Apparently  this  structure  appeared  on  the  1855  sketch  as  a  temporary  kitchen  for 
the  wood  frame  barracks.  In  any  case  it  had  become  too  small  and  rats  infested  it.  Block  "H", 
described  now  as  the  adobe  bakery,  appears  to  have  been  a  part  of  1855's  structure  3.  The 
rear  room  now  served  as  the  enlisted  men's  privy  and  had  an  offensive  odor. 

The  board  recommended  the  removal  of  a  number  of  the  buildings  along  the  west  and  north 
sides  of  the  post  and  the  construction  of  four  sets  of  officers'  quarters  along  the  east  side  of 
the  compound.  As  for  the  Presidio  reservation  itself,  it  recommended  the  continued 
construction  of  picket  fences  on  the  boundaries  so  as  to  keep  out  trespassers  and  roaming 
cattle.23 

Between  January  1859  and  May  1861  a  number  of  troop  units  and  detachments  of  recruits 
arrived  at  and  departed  from  the  Presidio.  Elements  of  the  4th  Infantry,  the  6th  Infantry,  and 
the  9th  Infantry  regiments  came  and  went,  but  through  these  months  the  3d  Artillery 
maintained  at  least  one  company  at  the  post.  The  largest  complement  during  this  period 
occurred  in  October  1859  when  7  officers  and  214  men  occupied  the  post;  the  lowest  number 
stood  at  one  officer  and  twenty-two  enlisted  in  July  1859.  In  both  July  1859  and  June  1861, 
detailed  reports  of  inspection  of  the  Presidio's  facilities  arrived  at  department  headquarters. 
Although  the  inspecting  officers  urged  major  changes,  little  new  construction  took  place 
before  the  Civil  War.  The  June  1861  report  recounted  the  fortunes  of  the  now  familiar 
structures: 

1A.  Officers  Quarters.  Adobe.  Condition  -  bad,  low  ceilings,  poorly  lighted, 
badly  ventilated,  damp,  despite  spending  public  money  on  it  in  1847,  '49,  '56, 
'59,  and  '60.  Still  six  rooms  and  three  kitchens  in  rear.  Occupied  by  one  captain 
and  four  subalterns. 

2B.  Barracks.  Built  1854,  a  cheap  frame  structure.  Condition  -  very  bad, 
unsightly.  Four  barracks  rooms,  two  mess  rooms,  two  kitchens,  and  two 
orderly  rooms. 

3C.  Storehouse  and  Laundresses'  Quarters.  Adobe.  "A  portion  of  the  building 
was  torn  down  during  the  year  to  prevent  injury  ...  to  the  occupants." 

Capacity:  sixteen  spaces  (not  rooms)  for  occupation  and  storage. 
4D.  Hospital.  Cheap  frame  structure,  built  1857.  Condition,  fair. 


23.  Keyes,  March  7,  1857,  "Proceedings  of  a  Board  of  Officers,"  with  map,  CCF,  OQMG,  RG  92,  NA. 

17 


5E.  Carpenter  and  Blacksmith  Shops.  Adobe.  Unsightly.  Bakehouse  in  rear. 
Condition  -  dilapidated,  damp,  entirely  unfit. 

6F.  Laundress'  shanty.  Condition  -  very  bad,  unfit  for  repairs. 

7G.  Stable.  Fifteen  animals.  Fair.  [H]  Harness  house  now  being  constructed 
with  corral  near  stable. 

81.  Guardhouse  and  Office.  Adobe,  three  rooms.  Condition  -  insecure,  close, 
damp,  utterly  unfit  for  use.  (Note:  this  was  an  adobe  stable  in  1855). 

In  conclusion,  Lt.  Horatio  G.  Gibson,  3d  Artillery,  stated  that  the  whole  post  was  "a  disgrace 
to  the  Government  and  an  eye  sore  to  the  community,"  and  all  the  buildings  should  be 
destroyed.24 

Alas  for  Gibson's  ideas;  Confederate  forces  had  captured  Fort  Sumter  two  months  earlier,  on 
April  12,  1861,  thus  initiating  the  Civil  War. 


24.  Gibson,  June  30,  1861,  to  the  Quartermaster  General,  CCF,  OQMG,  RG  92,  NA. 

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Lt.  H.G.  Gibson  prepared  this  plan  of  the  Presidio  in  1861,  on  the  eve  of  the  Civil  War.  "B"  marks  the 
two-story,  wood-frame  barracks  built  in  1854.  National  Archives,  OQMG,  RG  92 


20 


CHAPTER  2:  CIVIL  WAR,  1861-1865 


A.         Organizing 

Through  most  of  the  1850's  the  Presidio's  garrison  consisted  of  troop  units  of  the  3d 
Artillery  Regiment.  At  the  same  time,  army  engineers  worked  strenuously  to  complete 
permanent  coastal  fortifications  at  Fort  Point  and  on  Alcatraz  Island.  In  December  1859  the 
Presidio  dispatched  its  Company  H,  3d  Artillery,  to  take  charge  of  those  batteries  on  Alcatraz 
that  had  been  completed.  Not  until  February  1861  did  Company  I,  3d  Artillery,  march  from 
the  Presidio  to  Fort  Point  to  take  temporary  charge  of  the  masonry  works.  Because  of  these 
developments,  additional  companies  of  this  regiment  arrived  from  the  Pacific  Northwest  to 
strengthen  the  harbor's  defenses  as  the  nation  moved  toward  civil  strife.1 

When  the  war  began,  April  1861,  most  of  the  Army's  regular  regiments  in  the  West  received 
orders  transferring  them  east  to  the  fighting  fronts.  In  the  Department  of  the  Pacific,  however, 
the  fortunes  of  war  affected  both  the  3d  Artillery  and  the  9th  Infantry  Regiment  differently. 
When  the  orders  transferring  the  3d  Artillery  arrived,  they  called  for  four  companies  to 
remain  on  the  West  Coast  -  two  on  Alcatraz,  one  at  Fort  Point,  and  one  at  Fort  Vancouver 
in  Washington  Territory,  all  under  the  Department  of  the  Pacific  headquartered  in  San 
Francisco.  As  the  war  progressed  these  four  companies  rotated  among  artillery  posts,  but 
nearly  always  they  had  the  responsibility  of  defending  the  strategically  important  San 
Francisco  Bay.  Ironically,  none  served  at  the  Presidio  during  these  years. 

Most  of  the  9th  Infantry  occupied  posts  in  the  Pacific  Northwest  at  the  beginning  of  1861 
because  of  the  recent  international  boundary  troubles  with  Great  Britain  and  Indian  unrest. 
Then,  early  in  June,  the  department  commander  ordered  the  regiment  to  move  to  San 
Francisco  because  the  secession  movement  in  California  displayed  much  more  activity  than 
that  in  Washington  Territory.  When  the  War  Department  learned  that  the  9th  Infantry 
company  jointly  occupying  San  Juan  Island  with  Britain's  Royal  Marines  under  the  terms  of 
an  international  agreement  had  abandoned  its  post,  it  ordered  the  reoccupation  of  the  island. 
For  the  rest  of  the  war,  the  regiment  retained  three  companies  in  Washington  Territory. 
Another  large  detachment  from  the  9th  spent  the  early  years  of  the  war  under  Capt.  John 
Mullan  guarding  military  road  construction  from  Walla  Walla  to  Fort  Benton  in  Montana. 


1.  Bearss,  Historic  Structure  Report,  Fort  Point,  p.  154;  Erwin  N.  Thompson,  The  Rock:  A  History  of  Alcatraz  Island, 

1847-1872,  Historic  Resource  Study  (Denver:  National  Park  Service,  n.d.),  p.  81.  Note  is  made  that  the  artillery  regiments 
of  that  era  were  fully  trained  in  infantry  as  well  as  artillery  drills. 

21 


Meanwhile/  seven  companies  had  arrived  at  the  Presidio  and  had  begun  a  "thorough  course 
of  instruction."  The  department's  plans  for  these  troops  seemed  upset  when  orders  came  from 
Washington  for  the  9th  and  others  to  take  steamers  for  New  York.  Within  two  months, 
however,  the  War  Department  countermanded  these  orders  and  directed  the  9th  Infantry  to 
remain  on  the  West  Coast.  By  November  1862  the  Presidio's  strength  had  grown  to  fourteen 
officers  and  368  men,  the  result  being  a  spurt  in  construction  near  the  old  adobes. 

The  Presidio's  strength  fluctuated  greatly  during  the  war  as  both  Regulars  and  California 
Volunteers  came  and  went.  The  climax  occurred  in  January  1865  when  sixty-one  officers  and 
1,654  enlisted  men  reported  present  for  duty.  Col.  Thomas  F.  Wright,  California  Volunteers, 
commanded  this  array.  In  the  city,  his  capable  father,  Brig.  Gen.  George  Wright  (Regular 
Army  colonel  of  the  9th  Infantry)  had  led  the  Department  of  the  Pacific  through  most  of  the 
war.3 


B.          Keeping  the  Peace 

Both  the  Presidio  and  Alcatraz  garrisons  played  important  roles  in  maintaining  the 
peace  in  San  Francisco  and  northern  California  and  guarding  the  magnificent  bay.  The  Army 
arrested  the  more  ardent  Southern  sympathizers,  administered  oaths  to  the  Union,  took 
would-be  privateers  into  custody,  and  paraded  on  the  occasions  of  Union  victories.  By  1863 
San  Francisco  was  mostly  a  Union  town,  but  army  troops,  organized  into  a  provost  marshal's 
guard,  served  under  the  chief  of  police  in  patrolling  and  maintaining  law  and  order  in  the 
city  until  the  end  of  the  war.  Most  of  these  soldiers  came  from  the  Presidio  and  they 
maintained  their  headquarters  at  the  army  recruiting  depot  on  Harrison  Street. 


2.  U.S.  Congress,  The  War  of  the  Rebellion:  A  Compilation  of  the  Official  Records  of  the  Union  and  Confederate  Armies 
(hereinafter  cited  as  ORs),  73  volumes  (Washington:  Government  Printing  Office,  1880-1901),  Series  1,  vol  50,  part  1, 
pp.  506-507,  512,  519,  620-621,  645,  659,  730,  and  1168-1170;  part  2,  pp.  505-507,  884-886,  and  1272-1274.  Company  C 
had  already  sailed  for  New  York.  The  disposition  of  the  Mullan  Road  detachment  remains  unknown.  Because  of  one 
or  both  of  these  outfits,  the  9th  Infantry  received  credit  for  participating  in  eight  Civil  War  campaigns  in  the  East. 
Company  C  returned  to  California  after  the  war.  John  K.  Mahon  and  Romana  Danysh,  Infantry,  Part  1:  Regular  Army, 
Army  Lineage  Series  (Washington:  U.S.  Government  Printing  Office,  1972),  p.  257. 

3.  Presidio,  Post  Returns,  November  1864-January  1865.  All  the  9th  Infantry  companies  had  left  the  Presidio 
by  the  end  of  1864.  But  its  Field,  Staff,  and  Band  remained,  the  band  undoubtedly  participating  in  San  Francisco's 
many  wartime  parades.  Only  once  did  General  Wright  mention  that  his  office  was  in  the  city.  Writing  to  an  associate 
in  May  1862  he  noted  that  a  particular  company  had  marched  past  his  office  en  route  to  the  Presidio  for  training.  ORs, 
Series  1,  vol  50,  part  1,  p.  1092.  General  Wright,  who  had  pleaded  to  be  sent  East  to  fight,  drowned  at  sea  July  29, 
1865.  Colonel  Wright,  the  son,  joined  the  Regular  Army  as  a  lieutenant  following  the  war.  Modoc  Indians  killed  him 
in  the  lava  beds  of  northern  California  in  1873.  The  term  "Field"  used  above  referred  to  the  field  grade  officers  of  a 
regiment,  i.e.,  the  majors,  lieutenant  colonel,  and  colonel.  The  "Staff"  included  the  Regimental  Adjutant,  Regimental 
Quartermaster,  Regimental  Commissary  of  Subsistence,  Sergeant  Major,  enlisted  clerks,  orderlies,  drivers,  and  the  like. 

22 


In  February  1864  General  Wright  learned  of  a  plot  to  occupy  one  or  more  military 
establishments.  He  alerted  all  post  and  camp  commanders  to  be  on  guard  and  all  officers  to 
remain  with  their  troops  at  night.  Guards  received  orders  to  allow  no  bodies  of  men  to  enter 
military  reservations.  This  alert,  like  many  others,  passed  without  incident.  A  month  later  the 
Alta  California  warned  the  populace  that  the  Confederacy  had  a  fleet  in  the  Pacific  and  that 
an  attack  could  be  expected.  Wright  warned  California's  governor  at  this  time  that  French 
naval  vessels  were  blockading  Mexico's  Pacific  ports.  Since  France  sympathized  with  the 
Confederacy  and  coveted  California's  gold,  watchfulness  was  in  order  should  the  French 
occupy  Sonora. 

The  national  election  in  November  1864  brought  the  troops  to  full  alert  once  again.  Wright 
ordered  them  to  be  ready  for  service  at  a  minute's  warning  during  the  twenty-four  hours  of 
election  day.  Also,  he  said  that  all  troops  who  were  eligible  to  vote  in  California  should  be 
encouraged  to  do  so.  The  following  day  a  relieved  general  wrote,  "The  election  yesterday 
passed  off  very  quietly.  No  disturbances  of  any  kind.  The  overwhelming  majority  for  the 
Union  ticket." 

San  Francisco's  next  crisis  came  with  the  assassination  of  President  Abraham  Lincoln  in  April 
1865.  The  department  issued  orders  announcing  that  anyone  who  exulted  over  the  death 
would  be  immediately  arrested.  At  the  request  of  the  city  mayor,  H.P.  Coon,  the  Army  added 
four  companies  to  the  provost  marshal's  force  to  preserve  peace  and  quiet.  On  the  day  of  the 
president's  funeral,  April  19,  army  troops  assembled  at  Washington  Square  and,  under  the 
command  of  the  Presidio's  Col.  Thomas  Wright,  marched  in  the  procession.  Alcatraz's  guns 
fired  on  the  half-hour;  all  other  posts  fired  21-minute  guns.4 


C.          Building  the  Post 

At  the  beginning  of  the  Civil  War,  officers'  quarters  at  the  Presidio  consisted  of  only 
the  six-room  adobe  at  the  southwest  corner  of  the  future  parade  ground.  It  housed  the 
commanding  officer,  four  junior  lieutenants,  and  the  common  mess  room.  With  the  arrival 
of  the  9th  Infantry  companies  and  their  fourteen  officers  something  had  to  be  done  about 
additional  space.  In  1862  the  Army  constructed  twelve  wood  frame  "cottages"  along  the 
eastern  side  of  the  original  parade.  Together,  these  buildings,  which  faced  to  the  west,  were 


4.  ORs,  Series  1,  vol.  50,  part  2,  pp.  771,  791-792,  991,  1048,  1198-1199,  and  1201;  Daily  Alta  California,  March  18, 

1864;  Kinnaird,  "History  of  the  Golden  Gate,"  p.  261.  Just  as  the  Civil  War  ended  in  the  East,  the  Confederate  naval 
vessel  Shenandoah  in  the  role  of  a  commerce  raider  attacked  the  Northern  whaling  fleet  in  North  Pacific  waters,  sinking 
a  number  of  whaling  ships.  When  the  news  reached  San  Francisco  it  created  another  crisis  in  terms  of  fears  that  the 
city  and  its  gold-laden  banks  would  be  the  Shenandoah 's  next  target,  though  no  such  attack  took  place. 

23 


" 


Officers'  row  on  Funston  Avenue.  Built  during  the  Civil  War,  1862,  they  originally  faced  the  parade.  In 
1878  they  were  remodeled  to  face  San  Francisco.  Fire  destroyed  the  bachelor  officers'  quarters  at  the  end 
of  the  row  in  1899.  National  Archives,  Still  Pictures  lll-SC-87845 


The  Alameda,  a  luxuriant  landscape  decorated  with  rows  of  cannons  balls,  marked  the  formal  entrance 
to  the  parade.  Quarters  11  stands  to  the  left;  a  bandstand  sits  to  the  right.  National  Archives,  Still  Pictures 
lll-SC-87850 


24 


•I  I  il  .Ml  1  1ITT.M 


Sec  ft  on-. 


10.  Powder  magazine  built  in  1863.  Although  the  roof  has  changed,  the  building  still  stores  powder  for  the 

salute  guns. 

Top-  National  Archives,  Cartographic  Branch 
Bottom:  E.  Thompson  1991 


25 


single-family  structures  containing  a  total  of  thirty-five  rooms.  Twelve  small  kitchen  buildings 
stood  behind  them  on  the  east.  Although  not  mentioned  in  the  correspondence,  privies, 
chicken  coops,  and  wood  or  coal  sheds  undoubtedly  stood  near  the  kitchens.  The  future 
would  bring  great  changes  in  their  appearance.  By  1990  the  twelve  Greek  Revival  and 
Italianate  buildings  were  numbered  5  through  16. 

Just  before  the  war  the  Army  gave  permission  to  a  A.W.  Morris  to  construct  a  house  on  the 
military  reservation  at  the  terminus  of  the  Presidio  stage  route.  By  February  1861,  however, 
an  initial  garrison  had  been  installed  at  Fort  Point  and  the  Presidio  commander  believed  that 
Morris  would  convert  the  still  unbuilt  structure  into  a  tavern.  He  recommended  that  the 
permit  be  canceled.  The  department  commander  agreed  and,  presumably,  Morris  changed  his 
plans.  (Already,  several  structures  had  appeared  just  east  of  the  reservation.) 

Another  building  that  the  post  commander  wished  to  be  rid  of,  the  telegraphic  station  house, 
stood  on  the  Presidio's  highest  hill  (then  called  Telegraph  Hill,  and  today  called  Rob  Hill). 
This  building  had  served  as  a  lookout  station  for  vessels  approaching  San  Francisco  Harbor. 
That  function  had  moved  to  Point  Lobos  south  of  the  reservation  but  the  house  was  still 
occupied.  The  commander  wanted  it  removed  and  it  may  have  been  for  it  ceased  to  be  a 
matter  of  correspondence.5 

Of  the  original  adobes  that  the  Army  inherited,  the  one  converted  to  a  guardhouse  and  which 
stood  on  the  south  next  to  the  officers'  quarters,  had  fallen  into  such  disrepair  by  1865,  that 
the  commander  requested  the  building  of  a  new  one.  The  old  adobe  remained  but  a  new, 
wood-frame,  two-story  building,  completed  by  1865,  stood  on  the  west  side  of  the  parade 
ground.  An  1879  map  identified  it  as  structure  14.6 

The  1854  barracks  still  housed  two  companies  of  enlisted  men.  On  either  side  of  it  eleven 
wood-frame  barracks  lined  the  parade  ground's  west  side.  Seven  of  these,  one-story  each  and 
completed  about  1862,  held  one  company  each.  The  other  four,  completed  in  1865,  measured 
120  feet  by  30  feet  and  had  two  stories;  thus  two  companies  lived  in  each.  These  four  stood 
south  of  the  officers'  club  aligned  in  the  form  of  an  L  and  had  disappeared  by  1879.  Together 
the  thirteen  barracks  housed  nineteen  companies.  (The  post  returns  for  June  1865  showed  that 
the  garrison  had  decreased  to  643  enlisted  men.)  Nine  kitchen  buildings  stood  behind  the 
barracks  row.  Today's  structures  86  and  87  date  from  1862.  Originally  one-story  barracks,  they 


Capt.  J.F.  Gilmore,  PSF,  February  28,  1861,  to  Gen.  Joseph  Totten,  Land  Papers,  OCE,  RG  77,  NA. 

6.  Lt.  H.G.  Gibson,  July  2, 1861,  to  Post  Adjutant,  PSF;  W.F.R.  Schindler,  Annual  Inspection  Report,  PSF,  June  30, 

1865,  both  in  CCF,  OQMG,  RG  92,  NA. 

26 


would  be  converted  to  other  uses  by  1879  when  the  garrison  consisted  of  only  100  men: 
number  86  -  blacksmith  and  carpenter  shops;  number  87  -  quartermaster  and  commissary 
storehouse.  Today  they  are  connected  by  structure  85,  also  dating  from  the  Civil  War  and  said 
to  have  originally  served  as  a  blacksmith  shop  or  bakehouse.  (The  1865  inspection  report 
listed  a  bakehouse,and  an  1870  map  showed  a  small  bakehouse  to  the  rear  of  these  barracks.) 
In  1885  the  Army  had  both  86  and  87  enlarged  to  two  stories.  They  again  became  barracks 
inasmuch  as  the  garrison  had  increased  to  250  men  by  then.  In  1990  both  buildings  served 
as  offices.  They  possess  a  simplified  late  Federal /Greek  Revival  style  while  the  connecting 
unit  is  a  vernacular,  astylar  structure. 

Other  structures  built  in  1862-1864  included: 

Nine  wood-frame,  one-story  laundresses'  quarters  containing  a  total  of  thirty- 
eight  rooms  and  six  separate  kitchens.  Sited  to  the  rear  (west)  of  the  enlisted 
barracks  and  across  a  ravine  where  the  "new"  parade  ground  (parking  lots  in 
1990)  would  stand. 

Wood-frame,  one-story  adjutant's  office  on  the  enlisted  row. 

Wood-frame  quartermaster  and  commissary  storehouse  measuring  80  feet  by 
30  feet. 

Stone  magazine,  built  summer  1863  of  rough-hewn  stone  masonry. 

Wood-frame  gunshed  and  four  stables  northwest  of  the  parade  ground.  The 
stables  had  space  for  200  animals. 

Hospital,  described  as  having  ten  rooms  plus  a  kitchen  and  a  dining  room.  It 
contained  no  fewer  than  fifty  beds.  This  structure  2,  built  in  late  Federal  or 
Greek  Revival  style,  provided  medical  services  to  the  Presidio  until  recent 
times.  Standing  in  line  with  and  at  the  north  end  of  officers'  row,  the  hospital 
faced  the  parade  ground.  An  ell  extended  to  the  east.  By  1990  it  was  home  to 
the  Presidio  Army  Museum. 

In  addition  to  the  new  barracks  (above)  the  Army  built  a  few  other  structures  in  fiscal  year 
1864-1865:  two  additional  wood-frame,  one-story  laundresses'  quarters  each  measuring  60  feet 
by  30  feet  with  six  separate  kitchens,  and  a  shed  for  stabling  mules  having  a  capacity  of  fifty 
animals.  Still  under  construction,  a  large  two-story  bachelor  officers'  quarters  containing 

27 


thirty-two 'rooms,  three  mess  rooms,  and  four  kitchens,  took  shape  at  the  south  end  of 
officers'  row.  In  later  years  its  occupants  called  it  the  Corral. 

The  1865  inspection  report  did  not  list  the  small  post  chapel,  45  feet  by  30  feet,  that  tradition 
holds  was  built  during  the  Civil  War.  A  photograph  taken  in  1868  showed  the  chapel  and  it 
appeared  in  an  1870  description  of  the  Presidio.  Italianate  in  style,  the  modest  structure  stood 
at  the  south  end  of  the  parade  ground.  Apparently  built  under  the  auspices  of  the  San 
Francisco  Episcopal  Diocese,  the  chapel  served  a  Protestant  congregation  in  its  early  years, 
while  Catholic  priests  from  the  city  said  mass  in  an  empty  barracks.  The  future  would  hold 
many  changes  in  store  for  it.7 

The  Civil  War  had  brought  significant  developments  to  the  Presidio  of  San  Francisco.  Its 
garrison,  along  with  other  military  installations,  had  maintained  peace  and  order  and  assured 
the  dominance  of  the  Union's  cause  in  northern  California.  The  reservation  itself  had  grown 
from  a  small  collection  of  adobe  and  temporary  wood-frame  structures  into  a  substantial 
frontier/coastal  army  post  capable  of  housing  over  1,500  officers  and  men.8 


The  first  chaplain  to  appear  in  the  Post  Returns  was  the  Rev.  Daniel  Kendig,  an  Episcopalian,  who  arrived 
from  Fort  Steilacoom,  Washington  Territory,  in  July  1863.  He  served  at  the  Presidio  until  1888.  Post  Returns,  July  1863 
and  November  1888,  NA;  Anon,  "Chapels  of  the  Presidio,"  n.d.,  researched  by  Linda  Jackowski  and  Sgt.  Jerry  D. 
Mason. 

8.  Schindler,  Annual  Inspection  Report,  June  30,  1865,  and  Annual  Report  of  Additions  and  Repairs,  June  30, 

1865,  both  in  CCF,  OQMG,  RG  92,  NA.  Architectural  Historian  Sally  B.  Woodbridge  has  evaluated  the  Presidio 
structures  as  to  their  designs  and  styles.  Her  Glossary,  appended  to  this  report,  gives  additional  details  concerning 
army  architecture. 

28 


11.  Post  hospital,  later  called  Wright  Hospital,  built  during  the  Civil  War.  Here  a  wing  has  been  removed 

and  converted  to  the  hospital  steward's  quarters.  Originally  facing  the  parade,  it  too  was  remodeled  in 
1878  to  face  the  approach  from  the  city.  In  1990  it  housed  an  army  museum.  National  Archives,  Still 
Pictures  lll-SC-87843 


29 


CHAPTER  3:  THE  PRESIDIO  COMES  OF  AGE,  1866-1890 


A.         Peacetime 

Toward  the  conclusion  of  the  Civil  War  the  Army  made  certain  changes  in  its  West 
Coast  operations.  On  July  1,  1864,  Maj.  Gen.  Irvin  McDowell,  who  had  not  shone  brightly  at 
the  battles  of  Bull  Run,  succeeded  Brig.  Gen.  George  Wright  as  commander  of  the  Department 
of  the  Pacific.  Wright  transferred  to  the  District  of  Southern  California  where  dissent  remained 
rampant.  Then,  in  August  1866,  the  War  Department  established  the  Military  Division  of  the 
Pacific  with  the  Department  of  California  under  it.  Offices  for  the  two  remained  in  San 
Francisco.  The  sudden  death  of  the  division  commander,  Maj.  Gen.  George  H.  Thomas,  at 
work,  on  March  28,  1870,  resulted  in  the  newspaper  identifying  the  headquarters  as  being  at 
the  corner  of  Kearney  and  Sutter  streets.1 

For  the  first  several  months  following  the  war,  the  Presidio's  strength  figures  varied  greatly. 
The  Army  quickly  mustered  out  the  Volunteers,  and  regular  regiments,  arriving  at  San 
Francisco  by  steamer,  paused  briefly  at  the  Presidio  before  moving  on  into  the  interior 
country.  For  example,  the  entire  1st  Cavalry  Regiment  passed  through  the  Presidio  in  January 
1866  en  route  to  Arizona.  By  1867  the  garrison  had  settled  down  to  its  permanent  strength 
of  from  200  to  300  enlisted  men,  nearly  all  assigned  to  the  2d  Artillery  Regiment.2 

In  1870  the  post  surgeon  wrote  up  the  most  thorough  description  of  the  post  yet  prepared. 
As  of  then  the  enlisted  quarters  consisted  of  six  one-story  barracks,  the  1854  two-story 
barracks  building,  and  the  four  1865  two-story  barracks.  These  last  had  their  kitchens  and 
mess  rooms  in  their  basements  rather  than  in  separate  buildings  to  the  rear.  The  bachelor 
officers'  quarters,  this  time  described  as  having  three  stories,  was  occupied.  The  other  twelve 
quarters  on  the  row,  each  31  feet  by  18  feet  and  l'/4  stories  high,  and  with  water  closets  and 
bathrooms  attached,  served  the  married  officers.  Laundresses'  habitations  continued  to  be  a 
mishmash  of  structures  behind  the  barracks  and  across  a  small  stream  from  them  as  well  as 
one  of  the  old  adobes  which  seven  families  occupied.  The  "administration"  buildings  consisted 
of  the  bakehouse,  guardhouse,  and  adjutant's  office  along  the  west  side  of  the  parade;  and 
the  chapel  (45  feet  by  30  feet)  and  schoolhouse  on  the  south  end.  Other  structures  at  the 
Presidio  consisted  of  a  wheelwright  shop,  blacksmith  shop,  four  storehouses,  magazine, 
gunshed,  two  stables  for  horses,  and  a  mule  shed. 


1.  Daily  Alta  California,  March  29,  1870. 

2.  Presidio,  Post  Returns,  1865-1877. 

31 


12.  Lt.  George  M.  Wheeler  prepared  this  plan  of  the  main  post  in  1870:  officers'  quarters  to  the  right  of  the 

parade;  enlisted  barracks  to  the  left;  laundresses  quarters  behind  the  barracks;  corrals  and  stables  nearest 
the  slough  to  the  north;  and  the  adobe  officers'  club  at  the  opposite  end  of  the  parade,  to  the  south. 
National  Archives,  Cartographic  Branch 


32 


13.  Looking  toward  officers'  row  from  near  the  eastern  boundary,  1882.  About  this  time,  the  Army  prepared 

plans  for  the  beautification  of  the  post.  The  young  trees  in  the  foreground  mark  an  early  effort  at 
landscaping.  Lower  photo  shows  approximately  the  same  area  about  twenty  years  later. 

Top:  U.S.  Army,  Presidio  Museum 

Bottom:  National  Archives,  Still  Pictures  lll-SC-92-50-9 


33 


Naturally,  the  post  surgeon  described  the  hospital  at  length:  Two  stories;  80  feet  by  40  feet; 
wing,  35  feet  by  22  feet;  brick  basement;  porch  on  [west]  front;  four  wards  plus  a  small  ward 
for  prisoners;  hospital  steward's  room;  and  a  total  of  fifty  beds.  Other  facilities  included  a 
dispensary,  library,  morgue  [five  deaths  in  1868,  three  in  1869],  two  bathrooms,  and  mess 
room.  The  basement  contained  kitchen,  pantries,  medical  storerooms,  and  a  coal  cellar.  The 
hospital  library  held  some  500  books,  while  elsewhere  on  the  post  the  2d  Artillery  library  had 
nearly  three  times  as  many  volumes. 

A  windmill  at  the  south  end  of  the  reservation  raised  water  from  Lobos  Creek  to  a  reservoir 
on  high  ground.  From  there  the  Spring  Valley  Water  Company's  flume  brought  the  water  to 
the  vicinity  of  the  post  (and  beyond),  and  pipes  supplied  the  various  buildings.  Sewer  lines 
on  either  side  of  the  parade  discharged  waste  into  the  bay.  Last  but  not  least  the  post  garden 
now  produced  more  than  enough  fresh  vegetables,  including  potatoes,  cabbage,  turnips,  and 
onions  in  its  ten  acres.  It  was  located  in  the  southwest  part  of  the  Presidio  near  Mountain 
Lake.3 

The  citizens  of  San  Francisco  began  a  campaign  in  1870  to  have  the  U.S.  Congress  give  the 
Presidio  to  the  city,  at  times  for  purposes  of  a  park;  at  other  times  for  park,  residential,  and 
business  developments.  The  Alia  California  and  the  Chamber  of  Commerce  strongly  supported 
these  concepts.  California's  senators  quickly  introduced  bills  in  the  U.S.  Senate  calling  for  such 
a  transfer.  One  early  bill  called  for  the  Army  retaining  ten  acres  around  Fort  Point.  A  board 
of  army  engineers  in  San  Francisco  responded  by  saying  that  the  Civil  War  had  made 
masonry  forts  such  as  Fort  Point  obsolete  and  already  plans  had  been  prepared  for  large 
earthen  batteries  along  both  the  ocean  and  bay  sides  of  the  Presidio  headlands  (the  future 
East  and  West  batteries).  Furthermore,  these  works  would  have  to  be  defended  to  the  rear 
against  an  overland  attack.  By  1872  those  in  favor  of  a  park  had  changed  their  tactics  by 
requesting  the  federal  government  to  lease  the  Presidio  grounds  to  the  city,  leaving  300-400 
acres  for  the  War  Department  to  develop  defenses.  After  an  attempt  to  ramrod  the  bill 
through  the  senate  failed,  the  issued  died.  During  the  next  one  hundred  years  this  same  issue, 
like  a  Phoenix,  rose  again  and  again.4 

The  early  1870s  encompassed  numerous  physical  changes  at  the  Presidio.  Close  on  the  heels 
of  the  surgeon's  description,  the  quartermaster  published  a  similar  account  in  1872.  In 


Surgeon  General,  War  Department,  Circular  No.  4,  A  Report  on  Barracks  and  Hospitals  with  Descriptions  of 
Military  Posts  (Washington:  Government  Printing  Office,  1870;  reprint  1974),  pp.  443-445. 

Daily  Alta  California,  April  7,  1870;  May  19,  1870,  quoting  the  report  of  a  board  of  army  engineers;  July  1, 
1870;  January  26,  1872;  February  28,  1872,  quoting  the  Congressional  Globe;  and  February  20,  1874. 

34 


describing  the  laundresses'  quarters,  he  wrote  that  these  people  were  living  in  four  of  the  old 
Spanish /Mexican  adobe  buildings:  one  160  feet  by  20  feet  and  divided  into  eighteen  rooms 
(later  the  front  wings  of  the  officers'  club);  one  87  feet  by  55  [sic]  feet,  into  fourteen  rooms; 
one  45  feet  by  26  feet,  divided  into  three  rooms;  and  an  adobe  60  feet  by  23  feet  also  having 
three  rooms.5 

Another  report  a  few  months  later  gave  further  details  on  officers'  row.  It  described  the 
Corral  as  a  two-story  building  having  a  basement  and  measuring  127  feet  by  23  feet  and  a 
wing  44  feet  by  20  feet.  The  building  contained  sixteen  sets  of  quarters  of  two  rooms  each. 
A  kitchen,  dining  room,  bathroom,  and  a  servant's  room  completed  the  facility.  The  basement, 
said  the  report,  could  be  converted  into  a  library.  As  for  the  twelve  cottages,  only  eleven  now 
served  as  quarters,  the  twelfth  had  become  a  library  and  billiard  room.  Three  of  the  twelve 
had  four  rooms  and  a  kitchen  on  the  first  floor;  eight  others  counted  only  three  rooms  and 
a  kitchen.  The  twelfth  (later,  10)  had  no  fewer  than  seven  rooms,  it  being  the  commanding 
officer's  residence.  All  had  attic  rooms  (that  did  not  count  officially)  and  bathrooms. 

Correspondence  in  1872  disclosed  that  the  Harbor  View  resort  adjacent  to  the  northeast  corner 
of  the  reservation  was  favored  by  San  Francisco's  German  population  who  visited,  especially 
on  weekends  and  holidays,  to  engage  in  dancing,  shooting,  and  drinking.  The  Sutler  Street 
Railroad  terminated  there.  The  proprietor,  Rudolph  Herman,  wished  to  extend  the  railroad 
to  Fort  Point  "and  beyond."  The  department  commander  turned  down  the  request  because 
weekend  visitors  would  damage  the  earthworks  of  the  new  East  Battery.  He  would  not  mind, 
however,  if  the  railroad  was  extended  into  the  Presidio  as  far  as  the  barracks.7 

A  minor  crisis  for  the  post  quartermaster  occurred  in  1874  when  the  owner  of  the  Presidio 
wharf  wished  to  remove  it.  Writing  to  the  department,  the  quartermaster  requested  that  the 
Army  build  a  government  wharf  about  140  yards  east  of  the  existing  one  and  that  it  be  from 
100  to  120  yards  in  length.  Otherwise,  the  transport  of  fuel  and  forage  would  greatly  increase 
in  cost.  In  addition,  the  roads  to  the  city  were  almost  impassable  in  the  rainy  season.  It  took 
several  months,  but  the  Secretary  of  War  authorized  $6,250  for  the  new  work  in  March  1875.8 


5.  Quartermaster   General,   War  Department,   Outline   Descriptions   of  U.S.    Military   Posts   and   Stations 
(Washington:  Government  Printing  Office,  1872),  pp.  92-93. 

6.  Lt.  John  Simpson,  PSF,  Annual  Report  for  1872-1873,  CCF,  OQMG,  RG  92,  NA. 

7.  Lt.  Col.  C.S.  Stewart,  CE,  July  26,  1872,  to  Chief  of  Engineers,  and  AAG  Samuel  Breck,  Department  of 
California,  June  10,  1872  to  Commanding  Officer,  PSF,  both  in  Presidio,  Land  Papers,  OCE,  RG  77,  NA. 

8.  Lt.  John  Simpson,  PSF,  November  21,  1874,  to  Department  of  California,  CCF,  OQMG,  RG  92,  NA. 

35 


The  Presidio  of  San  Francisco  played  an  important  role  in  the  celebration  of  the  Centennial 
of  the  American  Revolution.  On  July  3,  1876,  100,000  spectators  gathered  on  the  Presidio's 
hills  to  witness  a  day-long  display  of  military  might  and  San  Francisco's  defenses.  Following 
a  dress  parade,  infantry  and  cavalry  troops  demonstrated  their  skills  in  a  sham  battle,  the 
Presidio's  defenders  successfully  driving  off  an  enemy  attack.  The  15-inch  Rodman  guns  at 
both  Fort  Point  and  Alcatraz  fired  at  distant  targets,  sometimes  hitting  them.  Naval  vessels 
fired  at  a  target  mounted  on  a  scow,  unfortunately  missing  with  all  shots.  The  next  day  post 
trader  Angelo  Marcian  Caspar  Beretta  planted  three  eucalyptus  trees  on  the  parade  ground 
to  honor  the  occasion.9 


B.          The  Division  Headquarters  Comes  to  the  Presidio 

In  March  1871  Maj.  Gen.  John  M.  Schofield,  commanding  the  Military  Division  of  the 
Pacific,  wrote  to  the  War  Department  recommending  the  move  of  the  Division  headquarters 
from  San  Francisco  to  the  Presidio.  At  that  time  his  staff  officers  lived  in  the  city  while 
Schofield  and  his  senior  aide  lived  at  Fort  Mason.  To  justify  the  move  Schofield  stated  that 
it  would  save  rent  and  would  promote  the  comfort  of  the  officers  and  their  families.  Unstated, 
was  the  movement  in  San  Francisco  to  acquire  the  Presidio  lands  as  a  park  and  for  other 
purposes.  The  Army's  adjutant  general  promptly  replied  that  the  necessary  new  buildings 
would  be  constructed  at  the  Presidio,  but  not  just  yet  -  no  funds.  Meanwhile  the  Division 
should  prepare  plans  and  estimates  for  the  next  fiscal  year.10 

Several  fiscal  years  passed  without  an  appropriation.  Finally,  an  Act  of  Congress,  approved 
on  June  18,  1878,  established  the  Division  headquarters  at  the  Presidio.  Congress  did  not 
appropriate  money  for  any  new  construction  but  funds  became  available  for  the  modification 
of  the  existing  buildings.  The  problem  of  crowding  was  somewhat  alleviated  by  two  facts:  the 
Presidio's  officers  then  numbered  around  ten;  and  the  Division's  and  Department's  staffs  had 
been  melded  into  one,  totaling  about  eleven  officers.11 


9.  Erwin  N.  Thompson,  Seacoast  Fortifications,  San  Francisco  Harbor,  Golden  Gate  National  Recreation  Area 
(Denver:  National  Park  Service,  n.d.),  pp.  113-114;  U.S.  Army,  Ecology  Trail,  U.S.  Army,  Presidio  of  San  Francisco 
(1980),  p.  14.  Two  of  Beretta's  trees  were  later  removed.  In  1976,  the  U.S.  Army  planted  a  Monterey  cypress  next 
to  Beretta's  tree  to  commemorate  the  Bicentennial  of  the  American  Revolution.  Beretta's  tree  was  still  standing  in 
1990. 

10.  E.D.  Townsend,  AG,  March  30,  1871,  to  Military  Division  of  the  Pacific,  CCF,  OQMG,  RG  92,  NA. 

11.  U.S.  Army,  Outline  Descriptions  of  Military  Posts  in  the  Military  Division  of  the  Pacific,  1879,  machine  copy, 
pp.  89-91;  Presidio  Post  Returns,  1878-1879,  and  Division  of  the  Pacific  Returns,  1876-1879. 

36 


The  Division's  quartermaster,  Lt.  Col.  S.B.  Holabird,  penned  an  extensive  report  on  alterations 
to  the  Presidio's  structures  beginning  in  August  1878.  In  preparation  for  the  move  of  the 
headquarters  from  the  city,  the  commanding  general,  Maj.  Gen.  Irvin  McDowell,  directed  an 
extensive  remodeling  of  officers'  row  along  Funston  Avenue.  The  twelve  sets  of  quarters,  the 
hospital,  and  the  "Corral",  that  had  faced  west  onto  the  parade  ground  were  reoriented  so  that 
their  fronts  faced  east  toward  the  city  and  their  backs  and  outbuildings  now  looked  out  upon 
the  parade  -  a  unique  situation  for  western  forts.  While  unstated,  the  apparent  reason  for  this 
dramatic  change  was  the  general's  desire  to  present  a  pleasing  appearance  to  visitors 
approaching  the  main  post  and  division  headquarters  from  the  city.  An  additional  set  of 
quarters  (later,  4)  took  shape  at  the  north  end  of  officers'  row.  The  Corral  underwent  a 
thorough  remodeling,  being  converted  into  six  seven-room  sets  for  married  officers  and 
retaining  six  two-room  sets  for  bachelors.  Holabird  then  described  the  cottages,  numbering 
them  from  south  to  north.  Numbers  1  and  2  each  had  four  rooms  and  a  kitchen  on  the  main 
floor  and  four  tiny  attic  rooms.  The  division  inspector  general  occupied  no.  1  while  the 
chaplain  took  up  residence  in  no.  2.  The  next  two,  3  and  4,  were  smaller,  having  three  rooms 
and  a  kitchen  on  the  main  floor.  Painters  were  busy  in  3  but  an  unidentified  occupant  lived 
in  4.  Number  5  had  four  ground  rooms,  a  kitchen,  and  two  finished  attic  rooms.  The  chief 
quartermaster  (the  author  of  this  report)  lived  in  6  -  four  rooms  and  kitchen,  four  attic  rooms, 
and  a  small  attic  over  the  kitchen.  The  division  adjutant  general  lived  in  7,  a  larger  structure 
having  five  rooms  and  a  kitchen  on  the  ground  floor,  five  attic  rooms,  and  an  attic  trunk 
room.  Formerly,  the  post  commander  had  occupied  this  set.  Garrison  officers  lived  in  quarters 
8,  9,  10,  and  11.  The  post  commander  was  scheduled  to  live  in  12  when  the  painters  got 
through.  It  had  recently  been  converted  from  a  duplex  to  five  rooms,  each  larger  than  in  his 
former  quarters  6.  The  new  set,  13,  at  the  north  end  of  the  row  owed  its  existence  to  the 
annexes,  kitchen,  and  outhouses  that  had  been  removed  from  quarters  12.  It  had  only  four 
small  rooms,  a  kitchen,  and  three  small  attic  rooms.  Most  of  the  kitchens  along  the  row  were 
new  and  all  the  quarters  now  possessed  annexes  that  contained  bathrooms  and  water  closets. 
A  new  sewer  line  ran  along  the  west  side  of  the  quarters  and  emptied  into  the  bay.  The  east 
wing  on  the  hospital  had  been  removed  and  made  into  a  dwelling  foi  the  hospital  steward. 
A  porch  now  extended  along  the  full  length  of  the  east  side  of  the  hospital. 

For  its  headquarters  the  Division  took  possession  of  two  barracks,  80  feet  by  30  feet,  in  the 
middle  of  barracks  row  and  converted  them  and  their  kitchen  buildings  into  twenty-one  office 
rooms.  Other  changes  included  moving  the  "battery"  barracks  (no.  9  on  the  1879  map)  from 
the  north  end  of  the  parade  into  line  with  the  rest  of  the  barracks.  Workmen  moved  the  frame 
adjutant's  office  from  barracks  row  to  near  the  adobe  officers'  quarters  on  the  south  end  of 
the  parade.  Its  former  space  now  became  an  opening  for  the  road  to  Fort  Point.  The  former 
laundresses'  quarters,  remodeled  with  porches  and  fences  now  housed  the  Division's  twenty 


37 


"general  .service"  soldiers,  i.e.,  clerks  and  orderlies,  and  their  families.  Here  and  there 
extensive  wind  fences  controlled  the  drifting  sand  and  the  never  ceasing  winds,  notably  one 
fence  dividing  the  old  parade  ground  in  half  from  the  Alameda,  or  entrance,  to  the  new 
division  offices.  Gate  lodges,  former  laundresses'  quarters,  manned  the  two  main  entrances 
to  the  reservation.  Finally,  grass  seed,  lupine  seed,  and  barley  had  been  planted  to  stop  the 
march  of  sand  dunes  across  the  Presidio.12 

The  Presidio's  buildings  and  other  structures  appeared  regularly  in  army  correspondence  in 
the  early  1880s.  In  1881  the  president  of  the  Presidio  Railroad  Company  requested  permission 
to  run  his  cars  on  the  reservation  as  far  as  the  officers'  quarters.  The  company  completed  the 
construction  of  the  railroad  in  December.  It  consisted  of  a  steam  dummy  railroad  running 
from  near  the  post  hospital  to  the  intersection  of  Steiner  and  Union  streets  in  San  Francisco 
where  it  connected  with  a  cable  railroad.  It  carried  passengers  only.  Three  years  later  the  Alta 
California  reported,  "There  is  no  finer  trip  to  be  taken  by  the  pleasure  seeker  on  Sunday  .  .  . 
than  to  ride  on  the  Union-street  Cable  Railroad  to  the  Presidio,  Fort  Point  and  Golden 
Gate."13 

Maj.  Gen.  John  Pope  took  command  of  the  Division  in  November  1883.  Three  months  later 
he  recommended  closing  all  army  posts  in  the  Bay  Area  except  the  Presidio: 

It  is  scarcely  necessary  to  say  that  the  most  important  point  on  the  Pacific 
Coast  is  the  harbor  of  San  Francisco,  and  that  in  this  harbor  by  far  the  most 
important  and  valuable  military  possession  and  position  is  the  Presidio  of  San 
Francisco. 

The  military  post  of  Presidio  has  a  reservation  of  about  1700  acres  of  land.  The 
principal  fortifications  and  batteries  for  the  defense  of  the  entrance  to  this 
harbor  .  .  .  are  situated  on  this  reservation,  which  in  the  two  posts  of  Presidio 
and  Fort  Point  .  .  .  contains  now  a  garrison  of  one  Light  Battery  1st  Artillery, 
2  companies  1st  Cavalry  and  4  Batteries  1st  Artillery.  .  .  . 

It  seems  plain  to  me  that  it  would  be  economy  for  the  Government,  and  a 
great  benefit  to  the  troops  themselves,  if  the  whole  military  force  in  this  harbor 
[Angel  Island,  Fort  Mason,  Alcatraz,  Benicia],  except  a  guard  for  the  prison  at 
Alcatraz  Island  could  be  established  at  the  Presidio. 


12.  S.B.  Holabird,  June  27,  1879,  to  the  Quartermaster  General,  CCF,  OQMG,  RG  92,  NA.  The  commanding 
general  and  his  senior  aide  continued  to  live  at  Fort  Mason.  It  is  possible  that  some  staff  officers  continued  to  live 
in  the  city. 

13.  President,  Presidio  Railroad  Company,  February ,  1881,  to  the  Military  Division  of  the  Pacific,  Land 

Papers,  OCE,  RG  77,  NA;  Daily  Alta  California,  May  25,  1884.  The  paper  failed  to  state  that  the  railroad  did  not 
extend  to  Fort  Point. 

38 


14.  Enlisted  barracks,  ca.  1880.  The  headquarters  of  the  Military  Division  of  the  Pacific  moved  from  San 

Francisco  to  the  Presidio  in  1878  and  established  itself  in  two  barracks,  believed  to  be  the  two  nearest  the 
camera,  and  their  kitchen  buildings.  The  headquarters  remained  in  these  humble  structures  until  1887. 
National  Archives,  Still  Pictures  lll-SC-87841 


As  for  the  existing  headquarters  facilities: 

In  no  respect  are  the  quarters  for  the  Staff  or  the  Hd  Qrs.  buildings  at  the 
Presidio  suitable  for  the  purpose.  The  quarters  are  insufficient  both  in 
proportions  and  in  character  for  assignment  to  officers  of  such  rank,  and  the 
Hd  Qrs.  buildings  for  Offices  are  simply  old  barracks. 

Both  the  quarters  for  the  Staff  and  the  official  buildings  are  mixed  up  with  the 
post  buildings  and  quarters  and  the  Offices  of  the  Depot  are  in  the  midst  of 
the  barracks  occupied  by  the  troops. 

Lt.  Gen.  Philip  H.  Sheridan,  commander  in  chief  of  the  army,  forwarded  Pope's  letter  to 
Secretary  of  War  Robert  T.  Lincoln.  While  Lincoln  was  not  in  favor  of  giving  up  the  islands 
in  the  bay,  they  "constitute  the  inner  line  of  defense  of  the  harbor  and  command  the  city,"  he 
did  recommend  an  appropriation  of  $231,000  for  a  new  headquarters  and  staff  quarters.  It 
was  a  forlorn  recommendation.  Neither  then  nor  later  did  the  Congress  appropriate  funds  for 
the  division  headquarters  or  its  successors.14 


14.  Maj.  Gen.  John  Pope,  February  18,  1884,  to  the  Adjutant  General;  Lt.  Gen.  P.H.  Sheridan,  March  6,  1882, 

to  the  Secretary  of  War;  Sect,  of  War  R.T.  Lincoln,  March  12,  1884,  to  the  President,  all  in  CCF,  OQMG,  RG  92,  NA. 

39 


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General  Pope  and  Secretary  Lincoln  involved  themselves  in  another  problem  about  this  time 
that  involved  the  post  chapel.  On  August  13,  1883,  the  New  York  Times  ran  an  article  on 
Lincoln's  refusal  to  allow  Catholics  to  build  their  own  church  on  the  Presidio.  He  was  quoted 
as  having  said  that  his  decision  has  caused  "some  abuse  of  me  in  the  newspapers,  but  I  have 
not  been  disturbed  by  it."  He  stated  that  he  would  not  let  anyone  use  government  land 
without  congressional  authorization.  That  fall  the  quartermaster  general,  who  was  responsible 
for  army  construction,  wrote,  "The  old  Chapel  answers  its  purpose  well;  but  it  is  very  small. 
It  is  a  handsome  diminutive  structure  of  Redwood;  it  was  never  intended  to  seat  the  entire 
garrison.  The  Chaplain  is  an  Episcopalian.  Formerly  the  Catholics  used  one  of  the  Barracks 
then  vacant.  There  are  none  vacant  now." 

The  War  Department  then  approved  $4,000  for  the  construction  of  a  new,  larger  chapel 
providing  it  was  strictly  nondenominational.  General  Pope  was  not  satisfied  however.  He  did 
not  believe  a  new  chapel  was  necessary,  "There  is  already  a  very  nice  and  well  finished 
Chapel  at  this  Post  .  .  .  the  last  four  Sundays  on  which  I  have  attended  service  there,  has 
never  been  filled  or  crowded  in  any  way."  He  continued,  "It  is  my  own  observation  that 
enlisted  men  never  attend  service  at  Military  Chapels  in  any  considerable  numbers."  And 
there  the  matter  rested.  Local  tradition  holds  that  Catholic  soldiers  managed  to  hear  mass  on 
the  Presidio  until,  many  years  later,  that  first  post  chapel  did  become  Catholic  when  a  new 
Protestant  chapel  was  built,  also  on  the  main  post.15 

Over  the  years  assistant  quartermasters  and  assistant  surgeons  had  prepared  descriptions  of 
the  Presidio's  structures  that  ranged  in  quality  from  good  to  inadequate.  Often  incomplete, 
omitting  building  numbers,  repeating  errors  from  earlier  reports,  they  caused  problems  for 
later  users.  All  that  changed  in  1884  when  Capt.  Charles  Frederic  Humphrey  (who  entered 
the  Army  as  a  private  in  the  Civil  War  and  retired  as  the  quartermaster  general)  prepared  the 
Annual  Report  of  Buildings  at  the  Presidio  on  June  6,  1884.  He  gave  each  structure  a 
permanent  number,  a  code  that  lasted  for  many  years  and  which  allowed  his  successors  to 
identify  the  buildings  accurately.  He  also  prepared  a  thorough  description  of  each  structure, 
measuring  rooms  in  feet  and  inches.  The  report  also  listed  repairs  carried  out  during  the  past 
twelve  months. 

The  records  had  treated  the  surviving  adobe  buildings  indifferently  in  recent  years.  The  1884 
report  clearly  identified  the  three  surviving  structures,  all  in  the  southwest  corner  of  the  post: 


15.  New  York  Times,  August  3,  1883,  quoting  a  letter  by  Sect,  of  War  Robert  Lincoln,  July  7,  1883;  Q.M.  Gen. 

J.B.  Holobird,  13th  indorsement,  n.d.;  War  Dept.,  14th  indorsement,  November  15,  1883;  Maj.  Gen.  John  Pope, 
January  26,  1884,  to  the  Adj.  General,  all  in  CCF,  OQMG,  RG  92,  NA.  The  reverend  Daniel  Kendig  was  still  the 
Episcopalian  chaplain,  having  been  at  the  Presidio  since  1863. 

42 


No.  16,  officers'  quarters,  adobe,  1/2  stories,  86-foot  6-inch  front  and  43-foot  6-  inch  depth, 
veranda  in  front  6  feet  8  inches  wide,  divided  into  two  equal  sets  of  quarters.  No.  21,  officers' 
quarters,  adobe,  I'/z  stories,  30  feet  6  inches  by  44  feet  6  inches  and  a  wing  34  feet  by  14  feet. 
Repairs  to  21  during  the  past  year  included  converting  it  into  a  set  of  captain's  quarters, 
introducing  an  electric  bell  system,  and  placing  tile  hearth  to  grates. 

Of  special  interest  was  his  report  on  building  20,  the  old  adobe  that  became  quarters  for 
American  officers  in  1847.  Humphrey  wrote  that  it  was  now  the  post  headquarters,  160  feet 
long  and  23  feet  wide.  It  contained  the  post  commander's  office,  adjutant's  office,  court 
martial  room,  witness  room,  library,  and  three  narrow  halls.  Projections  of  the  main  roof,  five 
feet  wide,  covered  the  front  and  rear  porches.  The  quartermaster  said  that  repairs  were 
necessary  such  as  cement  plastering  the  outside  walls  for  waterproofing,  recasing  window 
frames,  and  repairing  the  roof.  He  also  recommended  construction  of  a  frame  addition,  55  feet 
by  30  feet  to  be  used  as  an  officers'  assembly  room. 

Concerning  the  original  twelve  cottages  on  officers'  row,  the  report  noted  the  various  ells, 
additions,  and  outbuildings.  The  outside  measurements  of  these  buildings  were  52  feet  by  31 
feet  4  inches.  The  Corral's  (17)  thirty-nine  rooms  still  contained  seven  sets  of  quarters  each 
complete  with  bathroom  and  water  closet.  The  chapel,  18,  could  seat  a  congregation  of  102 
persons.  The  schoolhouse,  19,  measured  22  feet  2  inches  by  30  feet.  This  past  year  the 
division's  engineer  office  (two-story,  frame,  no.  22)  had  been  converted  into  quarters  for  a 
field-grade  officer  (major  through  colonel).  The  two-story  guardhouse,  23,  had  acquired  a  new 
belfry  with  bell  on  its  roof.  Of  special  interest  was  the  headquarters,  24,  of  the  Division  of  the 
Pacific  and  the  Department  of  California.  Originally  two  adjacent  barracks,  the  complex  had 
now  grown  to  four  frame,  interconnected  buildings:  30  feet  by  80  feet,  18  feet  by  57  feet,  30 
feet  by  80  feet,  and  18  feet  by  100  feet  (this  last,  two  stories).  Offices  held  the  commanding 
general,  adjutant  general,  judge  advocate,  general's  aides,  inspector  general,  medical  director, 
chief  commissary,  chief  paymaster,  chief  quartermaster,  depot  quartermaster,  engineer  officer, 
clerks,  telegraph  room,  photographic  room,  and  mail  room. 

The  Presidio  and  Ferries  Railroad  Company  had  its  terminal  station  in  building  53  -  one- 
story,  frame.  Gatehouses  stood  at  the  Lombard  Street  entrance,  54,  and  at  1st  Avenue 
(Arguello  Blvd.),  56.  Humphrey  even  included  the  residences  of  the  commanding  general  and 
his  senior  aide  over  at  Fort  Mason. 

So  much  had  happened  to  the  enlisted  men's  barracks  in  recent  years  that  Humphrey's  report 
gave  a  concise  accounting  of  what  existed  in  the  mid-1880s: 


43 


Barracks  30:  one-story,  frame,  30  feet  by  80  feet. 

Barracks  32:  band  barracks,  one-story,  frame,  30  feet  by  80  feet. 

Barracks  34:  one-story,  frame,  30  feet  by  80  feet. 

Barracks  37:  two-story,  frame,  30  feet  by  120  feet,  occupied  by  Troop  M,  1st  Cavalry. 

Second  floor  was  added  in  1884  to  accommodate  the  troopers  -  today's  86  or 

87. 

Barracks  38:  two-story,  frame,  30  feet  by  120  feet. 
Barracks  72:  two-story,  frame,  30  feet  by  120  feet,  occupied  by  Troop  I,  1st  Cavalry. 

Second  floor  was  added  that  year  to  accommodate  the  troopers  -  today's  86 

or  87. 

The  laundresses'  quarters  of  several  decades  back  had  either  been  demolished  or  converted 
by  1884,  as  well  as  the  status  of  the  laundresses  themselves.  At  the  Presidio  the  "married 
enlisted  men's  quarters"  had  replaced  them: 

Quarters  56:  one-story,  frame,  four  rooms  [this  building  may  have  been  at  Fort  Mason 

and  housed  the  general's  orderly]. 

Quarters  60:  one  and  one-half  stories,  frame,  28  feet  by  90  feet,  three  sets  of  quarters. 
Quarters  61:  one  and  one-half  stories,  frame,  28  feet  by  49  feet,  four  sets  of  quarters. 
Quarters  62,  63,  64,  65,  66,  67,  68,  and  69  were  all  one-story,  frame,  28  feet  by  60  feet, 

and  each  contained  four  sets  of  quarters. 
Quarters  70:  one  and  one-half  stories,  frame,  50  feet  by  18  feet,  two  sets  of  quarters.16 

The  following  year,  1885,  the  War  Department  authorized  construction  of  four  additional 
officers'  quarters  east  of  officers'  row  (today  56,  57,  58,  and  59).  While  general  prisoners 
excavated  the  basements  and  foundations,  the  Army  let  a  contract  to  one  F.  Crowley  for 
$11,000  in  December  1885  to  construct  the  buildings.  Crowley  unfortunately  died  before 
completing  the  work,  the  result  being  that  the  quartermaster  completed  construction  and 
charged  the  deceased's  estate.  It  appears  that  the  task  was  completed  around  August  1886. 
Other  than  a  temporary  problem  with  the  chimneys,  the  Stick/Queen  Anne  buildings  stood 
ready  to  house  officers  for  the  next  century  and  more.17 


16.  Capt.  C.F.  Humphrey,  Annual  Report  of  Buildings  at  the  Presidio  of  San  Francisco,  June  6,  1884,  CCF, 
OQMG,  RG  92,  NA.  As  of  1990,  Barracks  87  is  slightly  longer  than  Barracks  86.  A  law  of  1802  allowed  quarters, 
rations,  and  medical  care  for  four  laundresses  per  one  hundred  (one  company)  of  men.  The  Army  banned  the 
enrollment  of  laundresses  in  1878.  Edward  M.  Coffman,  The  Old  Army  (New  York:  Oxford  University  Press,  1986), 
p.  308. 

17.  No  signature,  "New  Officers  Quarters  at  Presidio,"  n.d.,  CCF,  OQMG,  RG  92,  NA. 

44 


17.  Cavalry  Barracks  86  and  87  at  the  main  post.  Constructed  as  one-story  buildings  during  the  Civil  War, 

they  became  two-story  cavalry  barracks  ca.  1884. 

Top:  National  Archives,  Still  Pictures  92-F-50-12 
Bottom:  E.  Thompson,  1991 


45 


18.  Officers'  Club,  before  its  remodeling  in  1934.  The  walls  of  the  front  wings  contain  the  adobe  walls 

inherited  from  the  Spanish /Mexican  period.  This  is  the  only  structure  on  the  Presidio  known  to  have 
adobe  remnants.  The  central  wood-frame  section  that  projects  slightly  was  added  about  1885.  U.S.  Army, 
Presidio  Army  Museum 


The  number  of  construction  projects  increased  considerably  at  the  Presidio  in  the  late  1880s. 
The  post  garrison  increased  from  12  officers  and  133  enlisted  men  in  December  1885,  to  38 
officers  and  536  men  in  December  1889.  At  some  point  in  that  five-year  period,  a  date  not  yet 
determined  but  in  1886  or  1887,  the  headquarters  of  the  Division  of  the  Pacific  returned  to 
downtown  San  Francisco. 


C.         Officers  Club,  20 

The  Alia  California  in  an  article  on  the  Presidio,  August  16, 1885,  described  the  ancient 
adobe  at  the  head  of  the  parade,  "The  largest  and  most  important  [of  the  three  surviving 
adobes]  contains  a  long  hall  which  is  called  the  Court-martial  room,  and  with  its  finish  of 


46 


solid  wood  resembles  an  old  feudal  hall.  The  redwood  timbers,  upwards  of  a  century  old, 
which  had  been  employed  in  the  original  building  were  found  to  be  in  a  state  of  excellent 
preservation,  the  rich  natural  tone  of  the  wood  having  deepened  and  improved  by  age.  The 
outside  was  planed  off  and  a  high  polish  given  to  the  wood  and  they  were  placed  as  rafters 
across  the  ceiling.  The  walls  of  the  building  are  between  three  and  four  feet  in  thickness,  and 
quite  put  to  shame  many  of  the  more  flimsy  structures  of  today." 

That  fall  the  post  quartermaster  reached  an  agreement  with  George  H.  Walker  and  James  A. 
Perry  to  construct  a  frame  assembly  room  for  the  adobe  building.  The  following  May  the 
quartermaster  said  that  the  room  was  completed  and  the  measurements  for  the  whole 
structure  were:  adobe  portion  160  feet  by  23  feet,  frame  addition  30  feet  by  55  feet,  and  a 
second  frame  addition  18  feet  by  23  feet,  condition  good.  A  year  later  the  annual  report  listed 
the  following  dimensions:  adobe  160  feet  by  23  feet,  four  rooms;  frame  30  feet  by  55  feet,  one 
room;  frame  18  feet  by  33  feet,  two  rooms;  and  an  ell  23  feet  by  36  feet,  two  rooms.18  In 
1888  the  Secretary  of  War  authorized  yet  another  addition  to  the  building  now  said  to  be  the 
1st  Artillery  officers'  mess.  The  addition,  primarily  of  wood,  had  one  door  and  five  windows, 
cost  $315.76.19 


D.         Other  Buildings 

A  surprising  complaint  about  the  1862  cottages  on  officers'  row  emerged  in  1886.  Maj. 
M.R.  Morgan  who  occupied  one  of  them  complained  that  his  quarters  were  both  cold  and 
damp  and  he  had  to  keep  coal  fires  burning  year  round,  "I  believe  all  the  quarters  of  the  same 
character  as  mine  were  put  up  hurriedly  in  1862.  .  .  .  The  walls  consist  of  two  thickness  of 
plank  not  tongued  and  grooved.  The  planks  have  been  painted  but  at  the  seams  the  paint  has 
cracked  and  lets  the  wind  in  quite  freely." 

Another  officer  inadvertently  supported  Morgan's  complaint.  He  lived  in  one  of  the  surviving 
adobes  across  the  parade  which  he  believed  to  be  an  old  Spanish  blacksmith  shop.  He  wrote 


18.  AQM  D.D.  Wheeler,  October  17,  1885,  agreement  with  Walker  and  Perry;  Col. ,  AQMG,  Dept.  of 

California,  Annual  Report  of  Condition  of  Public  Buildings  for  FY  1886;  Lt.  H.M.  Andrews,  Annual  Report  on 
Public  Buildings,  May  25,  1887,  all  in  CCF,  OQMG,  RG  92,  NA. 

19.  Lt.  J.S.  Oyster,  AAQM,  August  29,  1888,  to  post  adjutant,  CCF,  OQMG,  RG  92,  NA.  While  the  record  is 
unclear,  the  1885  addition  was  probably  the  present  (1990)  wood-frame  front  portion  of  the  officers'  club  that  was 
remodeled  in  1934,  along  with  the  rest  of  the  building,  and  later  served  as  the  main  dining  room.  Its  construction 
necessitated  demolishing  thirty  feet  of  the  front  (north)  and  back  (south)  adobe  walls  so  that  this  large  room  could 
bisect  the  adobe  structure,  somewhat  off  center,  toward  the  west. 

47 


that  the  house  had  electric  bells,  large  closets,  and  spacious  rooms,  "It  was  considered  the  best 
set  at  the  Post,  embowered  as  it  was  in  vines  and  flowers  to  the  roof."20 

As  good  as  Captain  Humphrey's  1884  report  was,  he  overlooked  several  buildings.  The 
annual  report  for  1886  added  ten  of  these,  bringing  the  total  number  of  buildings  at  the 
Presidio  to  eight-eight.  Some  of  these  were  as  insignificant  as  a  water  closet,  82;  others  were 
as  large  as  the  post  hospital,  86.  This  report  also  added  a  new  barracks,  88,  frame,  two  stories, 
30  feet  by  96  feet,  and  having  ten  rooms  (later,  military  police  headquarters,  36).  Next  year's 
report,  1887,  noted  that  post  headquarters  had  moved  out  of  the  adobe  officers'  mess  and  into 
the  division's  former  offices,  24.  It  shared  the  complex  with  the  library  and  the  band.  Still 
another  barracks,  89,  had  been  constructed  (also  two  stories,  30  feet  by  96  feet).  By  the  time 
of  the  1888  report,  two  more  officers'  quarters,  93  and  94,  stood  on  the  east  side  of  Funston 
Avenue.  These  buildings  are  today's  51  and  64.  Also,  that  year  the  Army  moved  two  enlisted 
barracks  (one  story,  120  feet  by  30  feet)  from  the  Fort  Point  area  to  the  Presidio.21 

Two  other  officers'  quarters  came  into  being  at  the  Presidio  in  the  last  decade  of  the 
nineteenth  century.  On  April  28,  1888,  the  post  quartermaster  submitted  an  estimate  for 
converting  the  tiny  post  schoolhouse,  19,  into  an  officer's  residence.  Further  correspondence 
did  not  disclose  when  the  conversion  occurred,  but  the  building  did  become  quarters.22  The 
other  set  became  the  seventh  such  to  stand  across  Funston  Avenue  from  officers'  row. 
Constructed  in  1893,  today  65,  and  described  as  Second  Empire  or  Mansard  style,  the 
quarters'  construction  record  has  not  been  located. 

A  Presidio  lieutenant  penned  a  few  details  concerning  the  reservation's  water  system  in  1888. 
A  steam  pump  raised  water  from  the  Spring  Valley  Water  Company's  flume,  forcing  it 
through  2,600  feet  of  six-inch  pipe  to  a  reservoir  at  the  south  end  of  the  garrison.  Another 
reservoir,  on  Telegraph  Hill  (Rob  Hill),  also  got  its  water  from  the  flume  via  a  windmill.  This 
source  supplied  water  for  Fort  Point  and  the  national  cemetery.  On  occasion  it  ran  dry  or  the 
windmill  broke  and  the  Army  had  to  haul  water  from  the  Presidio  to  the  fort.  Neither  system 
provided  enough  pressure  for  fighting  fires.  Two  other  windmills,  one  at  the  pond  near  the 
southeast  corner  of  the  reservation  and  the  other  at  an  old  shaft  near  the  Arguello  (then  1st 


20.  Maj.  M.R.  Morgan,  May  1,  1866,  to  Division  of  the  Pacific,  CCF,  OQMG,  RG  92,  NA;  William  Henry 
Bisbee,  Through  Four  American  Wnrs,  The  Impressions  and  Experiences  of  Brigadier  General  William  Henry  Bisbee  (Boston: 
Meador,  1931),  p.  234. 

21.  Annual  Reports  of  Condition  of  the  Public  Buildings  at  the  Presidio,  May  6,  1886;  May  25,  1887;  and 
May  22,  1888,  CCF,  OQMG,  RG  92,  NA. 

22.  Lt.  J.S.  Oyster,  April  28,  1888,  to  post  commander,  CCF,  OQMG,  RG  92,  NA. 

48 


Avenue)  entrance,  provided  limited  amounts  of  water  for  sprinkling  the  roads  and  for 
irrigation.  He  recommended  placing  government  machinery  at  Lobos  Creek  and  a  new,  larger 
reservoir  on  Telegraph  Hill  so  as  to  give  the  government  sole  control  over  the  water. 

Angelo  Beretta  lost  his  license  to  trade  with  the  Presidio  troops  in  1890  when  the  Army 
decided  to  operate  its  own  post  exchanges.  He  let  it  be  known  that  his  two  buildings  west 
of  enlisted  row  were  for  sale.  The  necessary  correspondence  wound  its  way  to  the  Secretary 
of  War  who  approved  the  purchase.  Beretta's  residence,  today's  116,  became  a  much-needed 
officer's  quarters  and  the  store  building,  after  some  updating,  began  a  new  life  as  a 
canteen.24 


E.          Troop  Duty 

The  monthly  post  return  had  a  small  space  in  which  the  commanding  officer  could 
record  significant  events  that  occurred  during  the  past  four  weeks.  Some  officers  obliged 
history  by  making  entries;  others  blithely  ignored  that  corner  of  the  form.  The  following  items 
have  been  extracted  from  those  who  wrote. 

After  the  dust  from  the  Civil  War  had  settled,  the  Presidio's  garrison  reduced  to  about  150 
to  250  enlisted  men,  most  often  artillery.  Beginning  in  1886,  the  post's  strength  gradually 
increased  resulting  in  the  construction  activity  discussed  above.  The  majority  of  troops 
continued  to  be  artillery,  but  infantry  and  cavalry  companies  were  present  from  time  to  time. 
In  May  1890  Troops  I  and  K,  4th  Cavalry,  arrived  at  the  post  and,  beginning  in  the  following 
year,  assumed  duties  protecting  Yosemite  and  Sequoia  (including  General  Grant)  national 
parks  during  the  summer  months.  On  the  eve  of  the  Spanish-American  War  the  garrison 
stood  at  nearly  900  regular  army  enlisted  men  -  artillery,  cavalry,  and  infantry. 

The  1870s  brought  a  flurry  of  activity  in  connection  with  Indian  wars  throughout  the  West. 
In  1873  four  batteries,  A,  B,  K,  and  M  of  the  4th  Artillery,  marched  from  the  Presidio  to  take 
part  in  the  Modoc  War  in  northern  California.  The  Modocs  ambushed  one  particular  patrol. 


23.  Oyster,  December  29,  1887,  to  Dept.  of  California,  CCF,  OQMG,  RG  92,  NA. 

24.  "Post  Trader's  Buildings  at  the  Presidio  of  San  Francisco,"  received  in  Washington  March  10,  1890,  CCF, 
OQMG,  RG  92,  NA.  Based  upon  interpretation  of  historic  photographs,  Regional  Historian  Gordon  Chappell 
concludes  that  Beretta's  residence  originally  faced  east  and  stood  at  the  south  end  of  the  laundresses'  row  about 
where  barracks  101  now  (1990)  exists.  Having  purchased  it  in  1890,  the  army  apparently  moved  it  farther  west 
and  turned  it  to  face  south  to  make  way  for  constructing  barracks  101  in  1895.  Memorandum,  Regional  Historian, 
Western  Region,  NFS,  to  Files,  Sept.  4,  1991. 

49 


19.  Fort  Point,  1870.  "Engineer  Quarters  were  offices  and  workmen's  quarters  for  the  U.S.  Army  Corps  of 

Engineers  who  were  responsible  for  constructing  and  maintaining  the  harbor  defenses  of  San  Francisco. 
The  barracks  and  officers'  quarters  near  the  wharf  housed  artillery  units  from  time  to  time.  Later,  this 
area  also  housed  the  submarine  mine  depot.  National  Archives,  Cartographic  Branch 


50 


When  the  fighting  ceased,  twelve  enlisted  men  and  four  officers,  all  from  these  four  batteries, 
lay  dead. 

Three  years  later,  following  the  Custer  debacle  in  the  Montana  Territory,  Battery  C,  4th 
Artillery,  joined  the  expedition  headed  by  Gen.  George  Crook  in  pursuit  of  the  Sioux.  In  1877 
Battery  B,  4th  Artillery,  and  Battery  D,  1st  Cavalry,  went  off  to  Idaho  Territory  to  join  Gen. 
O.O.  Howard's  expedition  in  pursuit  of  the  Nez  Perce  Indians.  A  year  later  Battery  B,  4th 
Artillery,  now  outfitted  as  cavalry,  returned  to  Idaho  and  Oregon  in  action  against  the 
Bannock  Indians.  The  last  time  Presidio  troops  participated  in  the  Indian  wars  occurred  at  the 
end  of  1885  when  Companies  A  and  K,  2d  Cavalry,  traveled  to  Arizona  to  support  General 
Crook's  campaigns  against  the  Apache  Indians  in  the  Geronimo  campaign. 

Through  the  years  Presidio  troops  partook  in  commemorating  national  and  local  anniversaries 
along  with  the  populace.  Note  has  been  made  of  the  day-long  Centennial  festivities  in  1876. 
Again,  on  April  30,  1889,  almost  the  entire  garrison  -  five  artillery  batteries  on  foot,  two 
artillery  light  batteries  on  horse,  two  infantry  companies,  and  two  troops  of  cavalry  -  made 
a  splendid  display  when  they  marched  in  San  Francisco  in  observance  of  the  centennial  of 
President  George  Washington's  inauguration.  In  April  1891  President  Benjamin  Harrison 
inspected  the  troops.  January  1894  witnessed  Presidio's  soldiers  participating  in  the  dedication 
exercises  of  the  Midwinter  International  Exposition  in  Golden  Gate  Park.25 


F.  Fort  Winfield  Scott 

Just  before  the  Civil  War  began,  the  Department  of  the  Pacific  instructed  the 
commanding  officer  of  the  Presidio  to  exercise  general  supervision  over  Fort  Point,  then 
garrisoned  with  the  Presidio's  troops.  By  May  1861  two  other  companies  had  taken  station 
at  the  fort  and  new  orders  came  down  notifying  the  several  posts  in  the  harbor  that  all  were 
independent  of  one  another  and  all  would  report  directly  to  the  department.  Fort  Point 
maintained  this  independence  until  March  1868  when  it  was  abandoned.26 

As  the  Presidio's  garrison  gradually  grew  in  size  during  the  1870s,  there  were  several  times 
when  artillery  companies  were  housed  in  the  two  Civil  War  barracks  at  Fort  Point,  but  no 
attempt  was  made  to  reactivate  it.  Finally,  on  September  16,  1878,  two  companies  of  artillery 
which  had  just  arrived  from  Washington  Territory  officially  reoccupied  the  fort  and  the 


25.  Presidio,  Post  Returns,  1865-1897;  Langellier,  Bastion  by  the  Bay,  p.  167,  states  that  elements  of  the  4th 
Artillery  and  8th  Infantry  went  to  Arizona  during  the  Apache  campaigns  of  the  1880s. 

26.  Fort  Point,  Post  Returns,  Microcopy  617,  NA,  for  1861-1868  and  1878-1882. 

51 


commanding  officer  resumed  preparing  the  post  returns  for  this  once  again  independent 
post.27 

Perhaps  because  of  the  confusion  caused  by  the  Civil  War,  the  fort  had  not  been  officially 
named  by  War  Department  general  orders.  The  first  return  in  1861  had  called  it  simply  "The 
Fort  at  Fort  Point."  Over  the  years  this  had  been  reduced  informally  to  Fort  Point.  In  1882, 
the  War  Department  rectified  the  oversight  by  announcing  the  name  Fort  Winfield  Scott,  in 
honor  of  the  deceased  commander  in  chief  of  the  army.28  Once  again  the  fort  was 
abandoned  when  the  last  company  marched  out  in  September  1886.  From  then  on  until  the 
turn  of  the  century  the  Army  considered  Fort  Point  as  a  part  of  the  Presidio,  although  the 
name  Winfield  Scott  appeared  in  correspondence  concerning  maintenance  or  construction,  a 
Corps  of  Engineers  responsibility. 


27.  Ibid.,  Military  Division  of  the  Pacific,  Special  Orders  122,  September  16,  1878. 

28.  Adjutant  General's  Office,  War  Department,  General  Orders  133,  November  1882.  The  Presidio  had  a 
chaplain  named  Winfield  Scott  in  the  1880s. 

52 


CHAPTER  4:  BEAUTIFICATION,  GROWTH,  CAMPS,  EARTHQUAKE, 
FORT  WINFIELD  SCOTT,  1883-1907 


A.         Beautification 

In  1859  a  quartermaster  officer  moaned  that  because  both  the  army  and  civilians  had 
cut  down  "the  thickets  of  scrub  oak,  etc."  for  fuel,  that  "scarcely  a  tree  [was]  left  for  ornament 
or  use"  on  the  Presidio  of  San  Francisco.  In  the  years  following  the  army  planted  a  few 
ornamental  trees  in  the  vicinity  of  the  parade  ground,  particularly  along  officers'  row  on 
Funston  Avenue.  Likewise,  officers'  wives,  assisted  by  the  post  gardeners,  improved  their 
quarters  with  bountiful  flower  gardens  and  shrubs. 

Then,  in  1883,  the  division  and  department  engineer,  Maj.  William  Albert  Jones,  prepared  a 
plan  for  the  improvement  of  the  reservation.  He  wrote  "The  main  idea  is,  to  crown  the  ridges, 
border  the  boundary  fences,  and  cover  the  areas  of  sand  and  marsh  waste  with  a  forest  that 
will  generally  seem  continuous,  and  thus  appear  immensely  larger  than  it  really  is.  By  leaving 
the  valleys  uncovered  or  with  a  scattering  fringe  of  trees  along  the  streams,  the  contrast  of 
height  will  be  strengthened."  He  continued,  "In  order  to  make  the  contrast  from  the  city  seem 
as  great  as  possible,  and  indirectly  accentuate  the  idea  of  the  power  of  the  Government,  I 
have  surrounded  all  the  entrances  with  dense  masses  of  wood."2  Besides  submitting  his  plan 
to  the  Department  of  California,  Jones  brought  it  to  the  attention  of  San  Francisco's  leading 
citizens  and  selected  members  of  Congress.  All  became  enthusiastic  about  the  concept  and 
heaped  praise  on  him.  John  Langellier  pointed  out  that  Golden  Gate  Park  and  New  York's 
Central  Park  predated  Jones'  ideas,  but  "what  is  significant,  however,  is  that  the  Presidio 
forestation  plan  represented  the  first  large  scale  landscaping  effort  of  its  type  in  the  Army."3 


1.  H.G.  Gibson,  September  17,  1859,  to  Lt.  Col.  C.S.  Merchant,  OQMG,  CCF,  RG  92,  NA. 

2.  Maj.  W.A.  Jones,  March  26,  1883,  to  AAG,  Dept.  of  California,  in  Jones  &  Stokes  Associates,  Presidio  of 
San  Francisco,  Forest  Management  Plan,  1990-2010  (Sacramento,  1990),  p.  E-4. 

3.  Langellier,  "Bastion  by  the  Bay,"  pp.  189-190.  William  A.  Jones,  a  native  of  Missouri,  graduated  from  West 
Point  in  1864.  Appointed  to  the  Corps  of  Engineers,  he  experienced  a  fairly  routine  army  career  until  his  retirement 
with  the  rank  of  colonel  in  1905.  In  his  personnel  records  he  wrote  that  he  had  expertise  in  "Landscape 
Engineering  and  Forestry."  Perhaps  the  most  important  event  in  his  career  occurred  in  1873  when  he  led  a 
reconnaissance  from  Fort  Bridger,  Utah,  northward  toward  the  Yellowstone  region.  He  discovered  Togwotee  Pass 
in  Wyoming's  Wind  River  Range,  thus  opening  the  Yellowstone  Basin  to  passage  from  the  south.  Office  of  the 
Adjutant  General,  Appointment,  Commission,  and  Personal  (ACP)  File  for  William  A.  Jones,  Document  File  1884, 
4165-4305,  RG  94,  NA;  William  A.  Goetzmann,  Exploration  and  Empire  (New  York:  Alfred  A.  Knopf,  1966),  pp.  409- 
412. 

Jones'  report  to  the  Department  of  California,  dated  March  26,  1883,  did  not  indicate  why  he  prepared 
it.  Maj.  Gen.  Irvin  McDowell  had  commanded  the  Department  of  California  until  October  1882.  It  is  known  that 
he  had  an  interest  in  landscaping  and  parks  and  after  his  retirement  in  San  Francisco  that  year  he  became  a 

53 


The  Presidio  may  already  have  begun  a  tree  nursery  by  the  fall  of  1883.  At  any  rate,  the  post 
quartermaster  requested  that  the  number  of  the  reservation's  civilian  gardeners  be  doubled 
to  six  men,  "This  number  will  suffice  to  attend  .  .  .  the  trees  and  shrubs  now  being 
propagated  and  attend  ...  to  care  of  plants  and  grounds  of  officers'  quarters,  hospital  or 
walks,  etc."  Approval  came  swiftly.4 

The  local  newspapers  described  San  Francisco's  first  observation  of  Arbor  Day  near  the  end 
of  1886.  School  children  from  both  San  Francisco  and  Oakland  attended  ceremonies  at  Yerba 
Buena  Island,  Fort  Mason,  and  the  Presidio.  The  1st  Artillery  regimental  band  welcomed  the 
4,000  women  and  children  who  arrived  at  the  Presidio.  Adolph  Sutro  had  donated  3,000 
young  slips  and  the  Army  had  dug  5,000  holes  in  the  hard  ground.  Along  with  the  slips 
many  a  child  planted  "a  home  treasure  ...  so  as  to  identify  the  expected  tree  of  years  yet  to 
come."5 

On  the  tenth  anniversary  of  Major  Jones'  undertaking,  1893,  the  Army's  Quartermaster 
Department  on  New  Montgomery  Street  in  San  Francisco  advertised  for  60,000  young 
Monterey  pines,  not  less  than  two  years  old,  to  be  planted  in  March  1896.  The  quartermaster 
planned  to  put  them  in  an  area  of  forty  acres  along  the  western  borders  of  the  reservation  so 
as  to  extend  the  existing  windbreak  and  ornamental  plantations.  About  that  time,  in  1895,  the 
San  Francisco  Golf  Club  founded  a  nine-hole  course  within  the  southern  boundary  of  the 
Presidio  -  with  the  Army's  permission  -  and  built  a  small  clubhouse  just  outside  the  military 
reservation.6 

On  the  last  day  of  1901,  the  commanding  general  of  the  Department  of  California,  Maj.  Gen. 
S.B.M.  Young,  wrote  the  Adjutant  General  concerning  the  need  to  devise  a  permanent  plan 
of  improvements  for  the  Presidio.  He  pointed  out  that  the  reservation  now  contained  sixteen 
establishments  of  varied  character: 


commissioner  for  San  Francisco's  Golden  Gate  Park.  Jones'  report  may  have  been  the  result  of  earlier  orders  issued 
by  McDowell.  When,  in  1903,  a  Presidio  board  of  officers  discussed  further  beautification  of  the  post,  it  referred 
to  General  McDowell's  ordering  the  planting  of  trees  in  the  early  1880s.  It  should  be  added,  however,  that  it  may 
have  been  Jones  who  influenced  McDowell  with  regard  to  beautification. 

4.  C.F.  Humphreys,  September  4,  1883,  to  Chief  Quartermaster,  Department  of  California,  OQMG,  CCF, 
RG  92,  NA. 

5.  San  Francisco  Chronicle  and  Daily  Alta  California,  either  November  28  or  December  28,  1886.  A  successful 
mining  engineer  and  businessman,  Adolph  Sutro  served  as  San  Francisco's  mayor  from  1894  to  1896. 

6.  Typescript  from  San  Francisco  Examiner,  August  2, 1895,  Richard  Schellens  Papers  34,  California  Historical 
Society;  [Presidio  Golf  Club],  "A  Short  History  of  the  Presidio  Golf  Club,  July  1964." 

54 


'*  X 


, 


20.  Southwestern  Presidio  (Fort  Winfield  Scott),  ca.  1930,  showing  a  portion  of  the  reservation's  forest  that 

had  its  beginnings  in  the  1880s.  The  four  gun  emplacements  at  Baker  Beach  are  Battery  Chamberlin.  Also 
at  the  beach  the  smoke  stack  of  the  Presidio's  water  plant  stands  near  the  mouth  of  Lobos  Creek.  The 
large,  barn  like  building  between  the  forest  and  the  city  housed  an  army  balloon  used  to  assist  the  coast 
artillerymen  in  spotting  practice  targets  at  sea.  U.S.  Army,  Presidio  Army  Museum 


55 


Coast  Artillery  armament  Regimental  camps 

Main  garrison  Lighthouse 

General  hospital  Old  Fort  Winfield  Scott 

Marine  hospital  National  cemetery 

Lifesaving  station  Cavalry  and  Field  Artillery  drill  grounds 

Model  camp  Small  arms  target  range 

Casual  camp  Water  works 

Engineer's  plant  Golf  grounds 

Professional  planning,  he  believed,  should  consider  the  various  military  missions  and  at  the 
same  time  pay  attention  to  the  natural  beauties  of  the  scenery.  He  proposed  appointing  a 
board  of  officers  (the  Army's  usual  solution)  to  consider  the  matter  and  to  employ  a 
"landscape  engineer."  He  had  consulted  Gifford  Pinchot,  the  head  of  the  Forest  Bureau,  U.S. 
Department  of  Agriculture,  who  had  promised  to  furnish  such  an  engineer.  The  Adjutant 
General  answered  that  a  board  of  officers  was  not  necessary,  but  Young  should  prepare  plans 
and  submit  them  for  consideration.7 

Following  a  spate  of  correspondence  between  the  Secretaries  of  War  and  Agriculture,  Pinchot 
assigned  William  L.  Hall,  the  chief  of  the  Bureau's  Division  of  Forest  Extension,  to  devise  a 
plan  "for  the  improvement  and  extension  of  the  forest"  on  the  Presidio.  Hall  visited  the 
Presidio  in  September  1902  and  soon  thereafter  prepared  a  lengthy  and  thorough  plan. 

As  of  1902,  trees,  mostly  blue  gum,  Monterey  cypress,  and  Monterey  pine,  densely  crowded 
420  acres.  The  whole  stand  needed  thinning  immediately.  Hall  divided  the  area  into  six 
sections  and  addressed  the  needs  of  each.  In  general  he  identified  spots  that  needed  thinning, 
other  areas  where  additional  planting  should  be  undertaken,  and  the  trees  most  suitable  to 
each.  From  his  descriptions  one  learns  that  today's  parade  ground  at  Fort  Winfield  Scott  was 
then  the  light  artillery's  drill  ground. 

Contrary  to  the  idea  sometimes  expressed,  Hall  did  not  recommend  trees  to  hide  the  coastal 
batteries  from  an  enemy  at  sea.  He  did,  however,  recommend  planting  trees  to  screen 
batteries  from  the  rest  of  the  Presidio.  He  noted  that  sandy  soil  prevailed  in  the  southwest 
portion  of  the  reservation.  Additional  planting,  such  as  the  maritime  pine,  would  help  hold 
the  soil  in  place.  Since  that  tree  was  difficult  to  obtain,  Pinus  halepensis  (Aleppo  pine)  could 
be  substituted.  Hall  concluded  his  plan  with  lists  of  vegetation  to  be  employed.  Trees:  red 


Maj.  Gen.  S.B.M.  Young,  December  31, 1901,  to  Adjutant  General,  OQMG,  General  Correspondence,  1890- 
1914,  RG  92,  NA. 

56 


gum,  Pittosporum  undulatum  (victorian  box),  live  oak,  Monterey  pine,  Monterey  cypress, 
maritime  pine,  shore  pine,  Australian  blackwood,  lawson  cypress,  incense  cedar,  English  oak, 
deodar  cedar,  Pittosporum  tennifoliutn  (tawkiwhi),  and  Pinus  halepensis. 

In  addition  he  recommended  the  following  ornamental  plantings  in  small  groups  along  roads 
and  walks:  cork  elm,  English  elm,  ginkgo,  magnolia,  black  cottonwood,  black  acacia,  Kentucky 
coffeetree,  bald  cypress,  Bursaria  spinosa  (box  thorn),  giant  redwood,  Cryptomeria  japonica 
(Japanese  cryptomeria),  madrona,  incense  cedar,  deodara,  lawson  cypress,  pepper  tree, 
Pittosporum  undalatum,  Pittosporum  tenuifolium,  privet,  manzanita,  and  Eucalyptus  ficifola  (scarlet 
gum).8 

By  1903  the  War  Department  had  changed  its  mind  about  a  board  of  officers  for  the 
improvement  of  the  Presidio.  In  January  the  three-man  board  reported  its  findings  to  the  post 
commander,  Col.  J.B.  Rawles.  Probably  referring  to  the  Jones  plan,  they  said  that  Maj.  Gen. 
Irvin  McDowell  ordered  the  planting  of  trees  in  the  early  1880s.  Between  1888  and  1897  the 
Army  had  planted  nearly  100,000  trees  on  the  Presidio  at  a  cost  of  $58,000  but  stopped  setting 
out  additional  trees  in  1897.  Only  now  had  thinning  begun,  on  the  western  part  of  the 
Presidio.  The  board  also  discussed  the  need  for  additional  roads  on  the  reservation.  From  that 
discussion  one  learns  that  the  road  today  known  as  Lincoln  Boulevard  was  then  called 
McDowell  Avenue  and  it  ran  as  far  south  as  today's  junction  of  Lincoln  and  Washington.  The 
board  recommended  that  a  road  be  constructed  from  that  point  to  Baker  Beach  and  would 
eventually  connect  with  roads  leading  to  Golden  Gate  Park.  Another  road  the  board 
suggested  would  lead  from  the  Presidio  wharf  to  the  city  streets  near  Harbor  View.  The  board 
also  concluded  that  the  swamp  north  of  the  main  post  buildings  and  the  national  cemetery 
be  filled  in  and  a  road  be  constructed  along  the  foot  of  the  bluffs  out  to  Fort  Point  (Mason 
Street?)  and  the  lower  Presidio  be  used  as  an  additional  drill  field. 

Other  recommendations  made  at  this  time  included:  that  barracks  and  other  buildings  be  built 
in  the  western  Presidio  for  the  six  companies  of  coast  artillery  troops  now  at  the  main  post; 
that  the  golf  course  and  other  open  areas  be  kept  clear  for  drill;  that  the  stone  wall  along  the 
south  boundary  be  completed  and  an  ornamental  iron  fence  be  erected  along  the  east 
boundary;  that  a  tree  nursery  be  established  and  the  planting  of  trees  and  shrubs  be  resumed; 
and  that  an  experienced  forester  be  employed.9 


8.  William  L.  Hall,  No.  249,  Plan  for  the  Improvement  and  Extension  of  the  Forest  on  ...  the  Presidio  of 
San  Francisco,"  OQMG,  General  Correspondence,  1890-1914,  RG  92,  NA. 

9.  Report  of  a  Board  of  Officers,  Presidio,  January  12,  1903,  OQMG,  General  Correspondence,  1890-1914, 
RG  92,  NA.  This  board  consisted  of  Col.  Jacob  B.  Rawles,  Maj.  Benjamin  H.  Randolph,  and  Capt.  William  G.  Haan. 

57 


The  board's  recommendations  bore  fruit  later  that  year  when  the  post  quartermaster  let  a 
contract  for: 

5,000  Eucalyptus  viminalis  (eucalyptus  manna  gum) 

2,900  Pinus  insignia  (Monterey  pine) 

2,900  Pinus  contorta  (beach  pine) 

2,500  Pinus  maritima  (maritime  pine) 

100  Cypressus  manocarpa  (Monterey  cypress) 

100  Acacia  latifolia  (broadleaf  acacia) 

100  Acacia  lophanta  (plume  albizia) 

100  Acacia  melanoxylon  (blackwood  acacia) 

100  Leptospernum  lavaegatum  (Australian  tea  tree) 

for  a  total  of  13,800  seedlings.10 

Within  two  years  the  Presidio  nursery  contained  25,000  young  trees  and  the  Department  of 
California  directed  the  other  military  reservations  in  the  Bay  Area,  particularly  Fort  Baker  and 
Angel  Island,  to  acquire  as  many  of  these  trees  as  possible,  "The  desirability,  from  every  point 
of  view,  of  covering  these  bleak  hill  sides  with  a  forest  grove  is  so  evident  that  it  is 
considered  unnecessary  to  enter  into  any  discussion."1  Thus  the  Presidio's  forestation 
program  began  to  spread  to  other  army  posts  in  the  Bay  Area. 

Between  1902  and  1906  the  distinguished  architect  Daniel  H.  Burnham  visited  San  Francisco 
to  assist  the  city  in  its  "Improvement  and  Adornment."  On  at  least  one  occasion,  in  1904,  he 
went  to  the  Presidio  and  met  with  its  commanding  officer.  A  record  of  their  conversation  has 
not  been  located  but  it  is  known  that  they  discussed  the  beautification  of  the  reservation.  A 
later  account  listed  Burnham's  recommendations: 

Arranging  the  drives  and  concourses  so  that  the  public  may  enjoy  the  best  views  of 
the  landscape. 

Enlarging  the  present  parade  ground  and  locating  the  post  headquarters  on  its  main 
axis. 


10.  Capt.  D.S.  Stanley,  Articles  of  Agreement  with  F.  Ludemann,  OQMG,  General  Correspondence,  1890-1914, 
RG  92,  NA. 

11.  Brig.  Gen.  Frederick  Funston,  November  11,  1905,  to  the  Military  Secretary,  War  Department,  OQMG, 
General  Correspondence,  1890-1914,  RG  92,  NA. 

58 


PLAN    Or    THE 

PRESIDIO  OF   SAN   FRANCISCO.  CALIFORNIA. 

TREATMENT    SUGGESTED  BY 

Mr.  D.H.Burnham.  Architect. 

Designed  in  connection  with  the  plans  for  the  beautificalion  of 

•    San   Tpancisco. 

1905 

Contour   Ir.tirvol- MR 


Mountain  Lake 


21.  Architect  D.H.  Burnham's  1905  design  for  the  beautification  of  the  Presidio  of  San  Francisco.  Army  Maj. 

William  W.  Harts  included  this  plan  in  his  own  1907  report  on  improving  the  Presidio.  National 
Archives.  Maj.  William  W.  Harts,  January  1907,  "Report  Upon  the  .  .  .  Development  of  the  Presidio," 
OQMG,  RG  92 


59 


Creating  a  vast  drill  ground. 

Creating  a  great  terrace  on  the  west  to  provide  a  view  of  the  Golden  Gate. 

Enclosing  the  parade  ground  with  terraces  of  slight  elevation. 

The  1906  earthquake  and  fire  interrupted  Burnham's  work,  but  he  later  returned  to  the  Bay 
Area.  Due  to  his  influence,  San  Francisco  today  possesses  the  beautiful  Civic  Center  and  the 
handsome  Park  Presidio  Boulevard  that  joins  the  Presidio  and  Golden  Gate  Park.12 

An  extraordinary  army  engineer,  Maj.  William  W.  Harts,  joined  the  staff  of  the  Department 
of  California  just  in  time  to  assist  in  the  aftermath  of  the  1906  earthquake  and  fire.  The 
following  January  he  prepared  his  "Report  Upon  the  Expansion  and  Development  of  the 
Presidio  of  San  Francisco,"  which  may  be  regarded  as  the  reservation's  first  comprehensive 
master  plan.  Describing  the  Presidio  as  a  site  of  great  beauty,  he  wrote  that  it  "is  probably 
excelled  by  no  other  military  post  in  the  world  in  the  magnificence  of  its  location  and  its 
commanding  position."  "Some  [three]  of  the  old  Spanish  quarters  built  of  adobe  more  than 
one  hundred  years  ago,  are  still  standing  although  several  [two]  were  recently  ruined  in  the 
severe  earthquake  of  April  18." 

Regarding  the  forest  he  said  that  a  third  of  the  reservation  had  trees  including  eucalyptus, 
spruce,  and  pine.  Ridges  divided  the  Presidio  naturally  into  three  parts.  One  ridge  running 
north  and  south  on  which  the  national  cemetery  stood  separated  that  part  of  the  reservation 
devoted  to  the  coast  artillery  emplacements  (the  future  Fort  Winfield  Scott)  from  that  part 
used  for  quarters  and  barracks.  A  ridge  running  nearly  east  and  west  separated  these  two 
from  the  portion  containing  the  golf  links,  Marine  Hospital,  and  target  ranges.  Present  plans 
called  for  twenty  companies  of  coast  artillery  on  their  own  post  and  the  permanent 
fortifications;  a  brigade  post  consisting  of  two  regiments  of  infantry,  one  regiment  of  cavalry, 
three  light  (mounted)  batteries  of  artillery,  and  a  battalion  of  engineers;  the  general  hospital 
with  500  beds;  and  a  mobilization  camp  that  could  accommodate  five  regiments.13  Harts 
proposed  moving  the  life  saving  station  from  the  bay  side  to  near  Baker  Beach  and  to  remove 
the  Marine  Hospital  away  from  the  Presidio. 


12.  Charles  Moore,  Daniel  H.  Burnham,  Architect  Planner  of  Cities,  2  vols.  (Boston:  Houghton  Mifflin,  1921), 
1:230-236;  2:2-3;  Maj.  William  W.  Harts,  "Report  Upon  the  Expansion  and  Development  of  the  Presidio  of  San 
Francisco,"  January  1907,  OQMG,  General  Correspondence,  1890-1914,  RG  92,  NA. 

13.  Even  at  its  maximum  growth  the  Presidio  never  realized  that  high  a  strength  which  called  for  310  officers, 
9,833  enlisted  men,  2,667  horses,  177  wagons  with  teams,  and  352  buildings. 

60 


Only  a  few  of  the  existing  buildings  could  be  considered  permanent,  all  brick:  barracks, 
gymnasium,  guardhouse,  bakery,  storehouses,  and  bachelor  officers'  quarters,  the  quarters 
and  the  gymnasium  badly  damaged  by  the  earthquake.  Also,  three  wood  frame  field  officers' 
quarters  met  the  test.14  He  regarded  nearly  all  structures  in  the  main  post  area  as 
unsuitable,  although  the  original  officers'  quarters  along  Funston  Avenue  could  be  moved 
elsewhere  and  assigned  to  noncommissioned  officers.  As  for  the  East  and  West  Cantonments, 
they  appeared  only  slightly  better  than  tents.  Even  the  general  hospital  was  make-shift  and 
built  on  the  edge  of  a  swamp. 

Harts  envisioned  great  changes  for  "The  Swamp,"  the  110  acres  on  the  bay  front.  Tides 
flooded  it.  During  the  rainy  season  large,  shallow  lakes  formed.  A  twelve-foot  high  (at  low 
water)  sand  ridge  lay  along  the  bay  shore.  Breaches  in  this  ridge  allowed  salt  water  to  enter. 
He  proposed  reclaiming  the  area  by  filling  and  constructing  a  concrete  wall  from  the  eastern 
boundary  to  Fort  Point,  at  an  estimated  cost  of  $527,000.  This  land  could  then  be  used  for  drill 
grounds,  ceremonies,  stables,  and  so  forth.  Besides,  a  source  of  ill  health  would  be  eliminated. 

Harts  had  definite  opinions  on  military  housing: 

It  is  well  known  .  .  .  that  the  architecture  of  government  buildings  on  military 
posts  has  in  the  past  unfortunately  always  been  of  a  needlessly  plain 
character.  .  .  .  The  arrangement  of  barracks  and  quarters  in  the  form  of  a 
hollow  square  .  .  .  formerly  adopted  on  level  plains  for  self-protection  in  the 
days  of  Indian  troubles,  has  still  been  followed  in  cases  where  other  plans 
would  have  suited  the  site  far  better.  The  use  of  straight  lines  for  roads  .  .  . 
and  long  straight  rows  of  buildings  is  still  followed  .  .  .  partly  from  custom 
and  partly  from  .  .  .  indifference  to  appearances.  The  standard  double  set  of 
officers'  quarters  formerly  built  for  economy  in  heating  and  to  save  a  small 
amount  in  construction,  is  still  used  in  spite  of  the  protests  of  the  officers  who 
live  in  them. 

Harts  recommended  doing  away  with  the  old  stock  patterns  for  buildings.  Officers'  quarters 
should  be  arranged  to  obtain  the  best  effect  of  the  sun  and  not  exceed  two  stories  in  height. 
In  the  future,  barracks  should  be  both  fire  resistant  and  earthquake  proof,  and  all  buildings 
should  be  brick,  concrete,  or  stone,  and  their  roofs  of  red  tile,  "It  is  believed  that  the  best 
results  will  be  obtained  ...  for  the  Presidio  by  employing  skillful,  competent  civilian 
architects"  [rather  than  officers  from  the  Quartermaster  Department]. 


14.  Probably  the  three  sets  of  quarters  east  of  Funston  Avenue,  today  51,  64,  and  65.  Harts  did  not  mention 

the  two  sets  of  quarters  on  Kobbe  Avenue  built  in  1902. 

61 


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23.  Lombard  Street  entrance  gate,  the  main  entrance  to  the  Presidio  since  early  army  days.  E.  Thompson  1991 


Whether  or  not  Harts  read  Hall's  earlier  study  on  the  Presidio's  landscape  is  unknown,  but 
he  had  his  own  thoughts:  "Back  of  all  batteries,  screens  should  be  cultivated  of  cypress,  acacia, 
oak  and  pine,  to  prevent  unauthorized  inspection  and  the  bluff  under  the  batteries  should  be 
protected  by  setting  out  shore  pine  (Pinus  contorta),  and  maritime  pine  (Pinus  maritime). 
California  live  oak  should  be  sparingly  set  out  at  intervals  over  the  entire  post  especially 
where  acacias  do  not  thrive.  Madrono  and  manzanita  may  be  used  .  .  .  along  roads  and 
walks.  Hedges  of  California  privet  and  box  may  be  used  in  the  gardens.  .  .  .  Privet  may  be 
also  used  for  back  door  screens." 


Other  trees  that  Harts  considered  appropriate  included  magnolias,  English  and  cork  elms, 
camphor  trees,  Kentucky  pepper  trees,  and,  in  low  land,  Normandy  poplars.  Lupine, 
California  poppy,  and  ornamental  gardens  should  cover  the  glades.  For  creek  beds,  he 
recommended  sunken  gardens,  winding  paths,  shrubs,  and  roses.  As  for  the  old  quarry  near 

63 


the  Greenwich  Street  entrance,  it  should  be  converted  into  an  open-air  theater  for  athletic 
events. 

He  noted  that  handsome,  ornamental  iron  gates  with  stone  gate  posts  had  been  erected  at  the 
four  entrances  to  the  Presidio.  Over  the  years  the  Army  had  constructed  a  masonry  boundary 
wall  as  appropriations  had  allowed.  Mostly  on  the  east  and  partly  on  the  south  sides  the  wall 
consisted  of  uncoursed  rubble,  eighteen  inches  thick  and  about  five  feet  high.  A  four-inch 
thick  coping  protected  the  top.  Harts  thought  the  fence  should  be  higher  because  horses  could 
jump  it.  Also,  saloons  stood  outside  the  gates.  Finally,  he  warned  against  permitting  fences 
in  residential  areas.15 


B.          Growth 

The  year  1890  saw  the  last  of  the  Indian  wars  and  in  the  decade  following  the  Army 
began  closing  down  the  many  small  posts  scattered  throughout  the  west  and  concentrating 
troops  into  a  few  large  permanent  posts.  The  Presidio  of  San  Francisco,  already  having  a 
sizeable  garrison,  increased  its  strength  fourfold  during  the  next  twenty  years  when  it  (and 
Fort  Scott)  housed  coast  artillery  companies,  cavalry  troops,  and  an  infantry  regiment: 

January  1890  -  35  officers,  506  enlisted  men 
January  1898  -  39  officers,  885  enlisted  men 
January  1905  -  42  officers,  1,330  enlisted  men 
January  1910  -  77  officers,  2,304  enlisted  men 


15.  Harts,  Report,  1907.  Harts  graduated  from  West  Point  in  1889  and  was  appointed  a  lieutenant  in  the 

Engineers.  He  served  on  river  and  harbor  projects  all  over  the  nation.  During  the  Spanish-American  War  he  built 
batteries  and  laid  submarine  mines  at  Tampa  Bay.  An  exploding  mine  severely  wounded  him.  Later,  he  served 
in  the  Philippines.  He  arrived  in  San  Francisco  just  in  time  to  assist  in  the  recovery  from  the  1906  earthquake. 
During  the  following  year  he  developed  plans  to  beautify  and  enlarge  both  the  Presidio  and  Fort  Mason.  He  along 
with  others  encouraged  the  conservative  Army  to  adopt  the  Spanish  Colonial /Mission  Revival  styles  of 
architecture  in  military  construction,  styles  then  popular  in  the  California  civilian  community. 

Later,  Harts  took  charge  of  the  public  buildings  and  grounds  in  Washington,  D.C.  He  supervised  the 
construction  of  the  Lincoln  Memorial,  Arlington  Memorial,  and  the  Red  Cross  building.  From  1913  to  1917  he 
served  as  the  military  aide-de-camp  to  President  Woodrow  Wilson,  who  said  of  him,  "He  has  been  the  most 
satisfactory  officer  with  whom  I  have  dealt."  After  America's  entry  into  World  War  I,  Harts  served  in  France  and 
again  became  President  Wilson's  aide  during  the  1918-1919  presidential  visit  to  Europe.  In  1921  he  transferred  to 
Field  Artillery  and  served  tours  in  Europe  and  Panama.  He  concluded  his  career  as  a  brigadier  general  and 
attending  the  coronation  of  the  Emperor  of  Ethopia  in  1930.  His  honors  and  awards  were  extensive  and  included 
an  honorary  degree  from  Princeton  University  and  honorary  membership  in  the  American  Institute  of  Architects. 
Office  of  the  Adjutant  General,  Appointments,  Commission,  and  Personal  (ACP)  file  for  William  W.  Harts, 
Document  File  1889,  Box  1212,  RG  94,  NA. 

64 


Until  1895  nearly  all  buildings  at  the  Presidio  were  of  wood  frame  construction  and  many  of 
them  were  considered  to  be  but  temporary  (the  Army's  temporary  construction  often  has  a 
quite  long  life).  That  year  the  post  saw  the  beginning  of  brick,  concrete,  and  hollow  tile 
construction  of  a  permanent  nature.  Brick  came  first. 

Between  1895  and  1897,  five  brick,  company-sized  barracks,  each  with  its  own  mess  facilities 
(101-105),  formed  a  line  west  of  the  row  of  frame  barracks  and  approximately  on  the  site  of 
the  old  laundresses'  quarters.  A  simplified  version  of  the  Colonial  Revival  style,  the  barracks 
had  a  U-plan,  a  hipped  roof,  and  a  one-story  porch  with  Classical  columns  of  the  Tuscan 
order  across  the  front.  The  wood  windows  and  doors  sat  in  brick  reveals  and  had  segmental 
relieving  arches.  The  moulded  roof  cornices  had  simple  brackets.  The  hip-and-gable  roof 
dormers  possessed  rolled  corners  on  the  front  sides;  but  the  end  dormers  were  more  typical. 
(Shingle-style  buildings  often  featured  rolled  corners.)  Coal  furnaces  heated  these  barracks, 
resulting  in  a  number  of  chimneys  in  each  building.  Each  measured  63  feet  by  65  feet  and  the 
wings,  43  feet  by  14  feet.  One  observer  thought  the  barracks  were  a  little  too  lavish, 
overdesigned,  and  contained  "the  highest  priced  plumbing  and  bath  facilities  not  inferior  to 
those  of  a  first-class  hotel."16 

Six  other  brick  structures  graced  the  post  before  the  1906  earthquake:  the  post  guardhouse 
(210)  across  today's  Lincoln  Boulevard  from  the  barracks,  gymnasium  (122)  behind  the  new 
barracks,  new  bachelor  officers'  quarters  (42)  at  the  south  end  of  Funston  Avenue,  two 
storehouses  (223  and  227)  on  the  east  side  of  Halleck  Street,  and  a  bakery  (229)  also  east  of 
Halleck. 

Probably  considered  adequate  as  built  in  1900,  the  guardhouse  later  became  most  crowded. 
At  one  time  prisoners  had  to  march  across  busy  Lincoln  three  times  a  day  to  temporary  mess 
facilities.  Colonial  Revival /Craftsman  in  style,  the  one-story,  square,  brick  structure  had  a 
concrete  base  cast  to  mimic  stone.  Tile  covered  the  hip-and-gable  roof  and  its  dormers. 

The  gymnasium,  built  in  1904  in  a  T  plan,  measured  79  feet  by  90  feet  and  stood  two  and 
one-half  stories  above  its  raised  basements.  Windows  and  their  reveals  sat  in  a  recessed,  two- 
story  panel.  A  raised,  wooden  monitor  on  the  roof  of  the  rear  wing  lighted  the  interior.  The 
hipped  roof  with  molded  cornice  and  the  embossed  keystones  above  the  windows  indicated 
a  Classical  Revival  style  for  the  building.  Brick  piers,  four  of  which  had  Tuscan-like  capitals 
made  with  brick  mouldings,  divided  the  bays  of  the  facade. 


16.  Langellier,  "Bastion  by  the  Bay,"  p.  196. 

65 


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24A.  .  Two  of  the  five  brick  barracks  built  between  1895  and  1897  that  frame  the  west  side  of  the  main  parade. 
Photo  dates  from  ca.  1898.  The  open  space  in  front  eventually  became  a  part  of  the  main  parade  ground. 
U.S.  Army,  Presidio  Army  Museum 


24B.         Brick  bachelor  officers'  quarters,  Pershing  Hall,  erected  in  1903  to  replace  the  wood-frame  BOQ  that 
burned  in  1899.  E.  Thompson  1991 


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On  September  9,  1899,  the  old  wood  frame  bachelor  officers'  quarters,  familiarly  called  "the 
Corral,"  burned  to  the  ground  -  the  thirteenth  fire  in  the  building.  Probably,  a  defective  flue 
caused  the  blaze.  At  the  time  seven  married  officers  and  their  families  and  six  bachelors  lived 
in  the  building.  All  escaped  along  with  their  household  effects.  Both  the  garrison  fire  brigade 
and  the  city  fire  department  fought  the  blaze  but  without  hope  of  success.  They  did  succeed 
in  saving  the  nearby  chapel.  The  new  brick  BOQ  erected  in  its  place,  later  called  Pershing 
Hall,  took  shape  in  1903.  The  three-story,  T-shaped  Italianate  building  had  two-story  porches 
along  the  front  of  both  east  and  west  wings.17 

Warehouses  223  and  227,  built  in  1897,  the  first  storehouses  (as  such  buildings  were  then 
called)  to  be  constructed  in  brick,  possessed  similar  architectural  details:  one-story, 
rectangular,  gable  roofs,  and  openings  set  in  reveals  with  segmental  relieving  arches  as  heads. 
Described  as  Colonial  Revival /Utilitarian  in  style,  each  measured  32  feet  by  114  feet.  The 
bakery  (229),  also  built  in  1897,  stood  one  story  tall  and  had  a  hipped  roof  and  a  roof  monitor, 
also  with  a  hipped  roof,  and  openings  with  reveals  and  relieving  arches.  Massive  brick 
chimneys  stood  above  its  ovens.  Utilitarian  or  industrial  vernacular  in  style,  nevertheless  it 
contributed  to  the  main  post's  appearance. 

Wood  frame  structures  built  at  the  Presidio  at  this  time  and  extant  today  included  a  tower 
added  to  the  post  hospital  in  1893  to  serve  as  a  biological  laboratory.18  In  1902  two  sets  of 
wood  frame  officers'  quarters  (1302  and  1304)  had  been  constructed  on  Kobbe  Avenue 
southwest  of  the  National  Cemetery  which  would  later  be  officers'  quarters  for  Fort  Scott. 
Quarters  1302  had  two  and  one-half  stories  and  measured  46  feet  by  70  feet;  while  1304,  also 
two  and  one-half  stories,  measured  71  feet  by  85  feet.  In  the  lower  Presidio,  just  under  the 
bluffs  and  near  Halleck  Street,  two  wood  frame  storehouses  (201  and  204  and  later  to  be 
called  exchange  stores)  were  constructed  in  1896.  Each  consisted  of  a  long,  rectangular,  two- 
story  building  with  horizontal  board  siding  and  a  gable  roof.  Lacking  decorative  detail,  they 
were  best  described  as  Utilitarian  in  style.  Structure  201  measured  32  feet  by  190  feet;  and  204, 
35  feet  by  184  feet. 

The  year  1902  saw  the  beginning  of  a  complex  of  barracks  and  stables  west  of  the  national 
cemetery  for  cavalry  units  assigned  to  the  Presidio.  The  first  of  these  structures,  a  wood  frame 
barracks  682,  was  constructed  that  year.  The  large  U-shaped,  two-story  building  measured 
123  feet  by  82  feet.  Its  interior  featured  brick  fireplaces,  cast  iron  columns,  and  ornate  pressed- 
metal  ceilings.  The  front  of  the  barracks,  which  faced  the  bay,  had  a  two-story  porch  with 


17.  San  Francisco  Chronicle  and  San  Franciscan  Examiner,  September  10,  1899. 

18.  Langellier,  "Bastion  and  the  Bay,"  p.  196. 

68 


Tuscan  columns.  The  gable  roof  had  returns  on  the  gable  ends  and  a  central  cross-gabled 
section.  The  gable  ends  had  windows  called  Palladian  or  Venetian  because  of  their  tri-part 
division  with  an  arch  over  the  central  section.  All  these  features  were  characteristics  of  the 
Classical  Revival  style.  Twenty  years  later,  1923,  the  Army  added  two  long,  rectangular,  one- 
story  structures,  one  on  either  side  of  the  main  building.  The  barracks  most  likely  first  housed 
the  black  troopers  of  the  Ninth  Cavalry  Regiment  who  arrived  at  the  Presidio  in  1902  for  duty 
in  the  national  parks.  (Four  troops  of  the  Ninth  arrived  at  the  Presidio  in  October.  This 
barracks  could  have  housed  only  one  troop.  The  other  three  were  possibly  housed  at  the  main 
post  and,  later,  in  the  Recruit  (East)  Cantonment.  The  squadron  left  the  Presidio  late  in  1904.) 

At  Fort  Point/Fort  Scott  new  modern  coastal  batteries  approached  completion  as  the 
nineteenth  century  came  to  an  end.  In  the  summer  of  1898  the  Department  of  California  sent 
plans  and  estimates  for  four  temporary  buildings  at  Scott  for  housing  a  battery  of  heavy 
artillery.  It  described  the  proposed  structures  as  most  temporary  in  nature,  with  no  floors,  but 
preferable  to  tents  through  the  winter.  In  November  the  Quartermaster  General  authorized 
$3,500  for  the  "repair"  of  buildings  at  Fort  Scott.  It  is  possible  that  these  structures  housed 
artillerymen  while  they  trained  or  worked  at  the  seacoast  batteries  (the  artillerymen  played 
a  role  in  the  mounting  of  the  big  guns),  the  main  post  at  the  Presidio  still  being  their 
permanent  quarters.  Additional  data  on  these  structures  has  not  been  located. 

Also  at  Fort  Point  stood  a  collection  of  buildings  erected  over  the  years  by  the  Corps  of 
Engineers  as  they  constructed  the  various  fortifications.  Some  dated  as  far  back  as  1860,  others 
as  recent  as  1896.  By  1902  decay  had  set  in  and  the  engineers  wanted  to  tear  them  down  and 
sell  the  lumber  for  firewood.  At  the  same  time  they  wished  to  construct  new  engineer 
buildings  between  Fort  Point  and  the  life  saving  station.  The  data  are  sparse,  but  a  1907  map 
of  the  Presidio  showed  the  new  structures.20 

Early  in  1906  the  War  Department  directed  the  installation  of  a  new  system  of  artillery  fire 
control  for  the  San  Francisco  coastal  defenses.  This  caused  the  Signal  Corps  to  ask  the 
Quartermaster  Department  to  build  a  brick  storehouse  near  the  Presidio  wharf  for  storing  the 
Signal  Corps  equipment  that  would  be  required.  The  Secretary  of  War  approved,  and  that 
September  the  San  Francisco  depot  quartermaster  announced  that  he  had  moved  into  a  new 


19.  Capt.  C.B.  Thompson,  Department  of  California,  August  26,  1898,  to  OQMG;  and  Quartermaster  General 
(hereinafter  cited  as  QMG),  November  2,  1898,  to  Chief  Quartermaster,  San  Francisco,  both  in  OQMG,  General 
Correspondence,  1890-1914,  RG  92,  NA. 

20.  Lt.   Col.T.H.  Handbury,  San  Francisco,  March  4,   1902,  to  the  Chief  of  Engineers,  OCE,   General 
Correspondence,   1894-1923,  RG   77,  NA.   Note  is  made  that  Engineer  appropriations  were  separate  from 
Quartermaster  funding. 

69 


storehouse.  It  seems  most  likely  that  the  new  building(s)  (frame,  not  brick)  stood  near  the 
Presidio  wharf  where  the  depot  quartermaster  already  had  two  storehouses  built  ca.  1903. 
(Harts's  1907  map  of  the  Presidio  showed  four  buildings  on  the  bay  front  and  just  east  of  the 
wharf.  He  labeled  them  "QM  Storehouses.")21 


C.          Camps  and  Cantonments 

War  with  Spain  in  1898  brought  rapid  changes  to  the  Presidio.  Regular  Army 
regiments  and  Volunteer  organizations  mobilized  at  the  reservation  prior  to  departing  for 
Hawaii  and  the  Philippine  Islands.  Other  Volunteer  units  arrived  at  the  Presidio  for  duty, 
such  as  the  1st  Troop,  Utah  Volunteer  Cavalry,  that  patrolled  Yosemite  and  Sequoia  National 
Parks  that  summer,  the  U.S.  4th  Cavalry  having  sailed  for  Manila.  By  August  1898  the 
Presidio's  strength  had  momentarily  grown  to  over  2,000  men.  The  Army  established  Camp 
Merriam  on  the  eastern  part  of  the  reservation  near  the  Lombard  gate.  Another  camp,  named 
Merritt,  lay  just  outside  the  Presidio's  southern  boundary.  It  proved  unhealthy  however,  and 
a  measles  epidemic  forced  it  to  close.  The  troops  moved  to  Camp  Merriam  and  to  Tennessee 
Hollow  east  of  the  main  post.22 

A  year  later  Volunteers  began  returning  from  the  Philippines  and  arrived  at  the  Presidio  for 
demobilization,  and  by  the  fall  of  1901  troop  strength  in  the  Pacific  rapidly  declined  as 
soldiers  neared  their  discharge  dates.  The  Army's  adjutant  general  wrote  that  the  time  had 
come  when  a  recruit  camp  had  to  be  established  at  the  Presidio  for  the  training  of 
replacements  for  the  Pacific.  Maj.  Gen.  S.B.M.  Young,  commanding  the  Department  of 
California,  replied  that  the  Presidio  could  receive  and  care  for  1,000  recruits  right  away  and 
another  1,000  in  ten  days  -  these  in  addition  to  the  soldiers  awaiting  discharge.  He  said  that 
he  preferred  to  keep  the  recruits  away  from  the  returnees.  He  proposed,  therefore, 
establishing  a  discharge  camp  on  Angel  Island  where  the  weather  was  much  milder  than  at 
the  Presidio,  especially  for  men  returning  from  the  tropics.23 


21.  Brig.  Gen.  James  Allen,  Signal  Corps,  March  27,  1906,  to  QMG;  and  Maj.  ?,  Depot  Quartermaster,  San 
Francisco,  September  1,  1906,  both  in  OQMG,  General  Correspondence,  1890-1914.  From  this  time  on  the  San 
Francisco  Depot  Quartermaster,  soon  to  be  established  at  Fort  Mason,  maintained  an  ever  increasing  number  of 
storehouses  on  the  lower  Presidio. 

22.  Langellier,  "Bastion,"  pp.  235-240;  Kinnaird,  "History  of  the  Golden  Gate,"  pp.  305-313;  Margot  Patterson 
Doss,  Paths  of  Gold,  In  and  Around  the  Golden  Gate  National  Recreation  Area  (San  Francisco:  Chronicle  Books,  1974), 
p.  14. 

23.  Maj.  Gen.  H.C.  Corbin,  AG,  October  14,  1901,  to  Commanding  General,  Department  of  California;  and 
Young,  October  17  and  18,  1901,  to  the  AG,  both  in  OQMG,  General  Correspondence,  1890-1914,  RG  92,  NA. 

70 


26.  Cavalry  Barracks  constructed  in  1902  west  of  the  national  cemetery.  It  was  the  only  one  of  four  such 

barracks  scheduled  for  this  area  that  was  built.  It  probably  held  a  troop  of  the  Ninth  (Black)  Cavalry 
Regiment  that  arrived  at  the  Presidio  that  fall.  E.  Thompson,  1991 


Planning  for  the  recruits'  camp  got  underway  in  1902.  Maj.  Gen.  R.P.  Hughes,  Young's 
successor,  noting  that  the  Presidio  had  spent  $60,000  for  canvas  in  less  than  three  years, 
recommended  that  a  cantonment  be  built  with  temporary  barracks  of  rough  lumber,  double 
tier  bunks,  and  small  heating  stoves,  and  the  cantonment  be  large  enough  to  house  a 
regiment.  By  March  1903  the  Quartermaster  General  learned  that  construction  had  reached 
thirty-eight  percent  completion.24 


24.  Maj.  Gen.  R.P.  Hughes,  May  27,  1902,  to  the  Adjutant  General;  Memorandum  of  Provisions  to  be  Made 

at  the  Various  Military  Posts,  July  4, 1902;  and  Confidential  Memorandum  for  the  Quartermaster  General,  March  4, 
1903,  all  in  OQMG,  General  Correspondence,  1890-1914,  RG  92,  NA. 

71 


York  Camos.    Presidio  Reservation.  ,  San  Francisco.  Gal. 


Spanish-American  War.  Camps  of  volunteers  in  the  eastern  Presidio  prior  to  their  departure  for  the 
Philippines.  U.S.  Army,  Presidio  Army  Museum  (W.C.  Billington,  Photographer  Sutro  Heights  Gallery, 
San  Francisco) 


28.  The  same  area  a  few  years  later,  ca.  1907,  when  East  Cantonment  replaced  the  wartime  camps.  Letterman 

General  Hospital  is  in  the  middle  distance.  National  Archives,  Cartographic  Branch 


72 


29.  Map,  East  (left  of  Lyon  Street)  and  West  Cantonments,  1912.  National  Archives,  Cartographic  Branch 


73 


30.  Presidio  of  San  Francisco,  1912,  showing  the  main  post,  parade  ground,  genera!  hospital,  stables  and 

corrals,  and  part  of  the  area  set  aside  for  the  forthcoming  Panama-Pacific  International  Exposition. 
National  Archives,  Cartographic  Branch 


74 


Located  south  of  the  Lombard  Gate  on  the  site  of  former  Camp  Merriam,  the  cantonment 
occupied  two  areas  that  were  separated  by  a  low  ridge.  Before  long  they  became  known  as 
East  and  West  Cantonments  but  for  now  the  name  Infantry  Cantonment  applied  to  both.  In 
1904  a  description  of  the  Presidio  listed  the  approximately  115  structures  in  the  cantonment. 
They  included  twenty-four  officers'  quarters,  bachelor  officers'  quarters  for  forty-two  persons, 
five  noncommissioned  officers'  quarters,  forty-two  barracks  of  both  one  and  two  stories,  two 
band  barracks  and  a  practice  room,  an  emergency  hospital  and  a  dispensary,  headquarters 
buildings,  chapel  and  reading  room,  two  schoolhouses,  post  exchange,  mess  halls, 
guardhouse,  bakehouse,  and  several  storehouses  and  workshops.  Temporary  in  nature  and 
the  scene  of  numerous  roof  fires  and  other  problems  over  the  years,  only  four  of  the  buildings 
remain  (563,  567,  569,  and  572),  all  said  to  have  been  enlisted  barracks.25 

That  same  1904  description  noted  the  structures  at  the  Presidio's  main  post,  both  above  and 
below  the  bluffs:  twenty-seven  officers'  quarters;  four  noncommissioned  officers'  quarters; 
nine  one-story  barracks  and  five  two-story  barracks  (room  for  up  to  1,265  men);  hospital  and 
hospital  steward's  quarters,  post  headquarters  (still  the  24  complex);  assembly  room  (officers' 
club);  post  exchange;  post  guardhouse;  kitchens  and  messes;  quartermaster,  ordnance, 
subsistence,  and  forage  storehouses;  stables  and  veterinary  hospital;  bakeries;  pumping  works; 
shops;  various  sheds;  and  a  bandstand.  At  Fort  Point  there  remained  an  officer's  quarters, 
barracks,  and  a  couple  of  ordnance  buildings.26 

In  1905  the  San  Francisco  Golf  Club  abandoned  the  Presidio  golf  course  for  more  prestigious 
links.  On  its  heels  came  a  citizens'  Presidio  Golf  Club  that  took  over  the  old  clubhouse  and 
arranged  with  the  Army  to  play  on  the  Presidio  course.  Five  years  later  the  Club  arranged 
for  the  course  to  be  enlarged  to  eighteen  holes.27 


D.         Earthquake 

On   April   18,   1906,  the  San   Francisco   depot  quartermaster  sent  a   telegram   to 
Washington, 


25.  OQMG,  Outline  Description  of  Military  Posts  and  Reservations  in  the  United  States  and  Alaska  (Washington: 
Government  Printing  Office,  1904),  p.  381.  Today  all  four  are  described  as  enlisted  men's  barracks  without  messes. 
It  is  possible  that  567,  because  of  its  small  size,  was  a  mess  hall  for  the  barracks.  It  was  built  in  1909. 

26.  Ibid. 

27.  "A  Short  History  of  the  Presidio  Golf  Club,"  pp.  3-7. 

75 


Terrible  earthquake  at  5:15  this  morning  buildings  on  fire  all  over  lower  part 
of  city  no  water  Mission  street  quartermaster  and  commissary  depots  burned 
to  the  ground  office  building  and  storehouse  36  New  Montgomery  St  now  on 
fire  small  hope  of  saving28 

Maj.  Gen.  Adolphus  W.  Greely,  commanding  the  Army's  Pacific  Division,  had  gone  East  only 
a  few  days  before  on  leave  and  Brig.  Gen.  Frederick  Funston,  Department  of  California, 
assumed  command  of  the  situation  in  Greely's  stead.  A  hero  from  Philippine  duty,  Funston 
lived  at  1310  Washington  Street  near  Nob  Hill.  He  immediately  walked  to  the  top  of  the  hill 
from  where  he  could  see  several  fires  in  downtown  San  Francisco.  He  next  went  to  the  army 
stables  on  Pine  Street  from  where  he  sent  messages  to  Fort  Mason  and  the  Presidio  to  report 
with  their  troops  to  the  city's  chief  of  police  at  the  Hall  of  Justice  on  Portsmouth  Square. 

After  warning  his  own  family  to  flee  (their  house  burned),  he  proceeded  to  the  department 
headquarters  in  the  Phelan  Building  at  Market  and  O'Farrell  streets.  While  department  clerks 
were  removing  records  another  severe  shock  occurred  at  8  a.m.  Funston  ordered  his  people 
to  forget  the  records  and  to  leave  the  building.29 

Fire  destroyed  both  the  Phelan  and  Grant  buildings  and  on  April  19  Funston  established  an 
emergency  headquarters  at  Fort  Mason,  employing  the  staffs  of  both  the  division  and  the 
department.  There,  San  Francisco's  mayor,  Eugene  E.  Schmitz,  also  established  an  emergency 
team  of  citizens.  By  April  21  most  fires  were  under  control  and  supplies  of  all  types  began 
arriving  in  the  Bay  Area  from  army  posts  and  depots  from  as  far  east  as  Philadelphia.  General 
Greely  returned  to  San  Francisco  on  April  22.  He  assumed  command  of  the  Army's  relief 


2*.  Quartermaster  Maj.  C.A.  Devol,  San  Francisco,  April  18, 1906,  to  QMG,  OQMG,  General  Correspondence 

1890-1914,  RG  92,  NA. 

29.  Frederick  Funston,  "How  the  Army  Worked  to  Save  San  Francisco,"  Cosmopolitan  Magazine  41  (July  1906): 

239-48.  At  the  time  of  the  earthquake  the  Army  rented  the  following  properties  in  San  Francisco: 

Quartermaster  and  Supply  Depot,  649-657  Mission  Street 
Subsistence  Storehouse,  40-42  and  44  Spear  Street 
Quartermaster  Storehouse,  Folsom  and  Spear  Streets 
Quartermaster  Stables,  1221  Pine  Street 
Headquarters,  Department  of  California,  Phelan  Building 
Headquarters,  Division  of  the  Pacific,  Grant  Building 
Quartermaster  offices,  New  Montgomery  Street 
Recruiting  Station,  Rialto  Building 
Transport  Service,  wharf,  Folsom  Street 

"List  of  Property  Rented  in  San  Francisco,"  April  23, 1906,  OQMG,  General  Correspondence,  1890-1914,  RG  92,  NA. 

76 


operations  and  relegated  Funston  to  military  operations  only.  (Some  critics  felt  that  Greely 
took  exception  to  some  of  Funston's  decisions,  such  as  his  imposition  of  near-martial  law.)30 

On  May  2  and  3  the  headquarters  of  both  the  Department  of  California  and  the  Pacific 
Division  moved  from  overcrowded  Fort  Mason  to  the  Presidio.  Greely  chose  the  recruit 
cantonment  (where  1,500  refugees  had  already  sought  shelter)  for  his  headquarters,  while 
Funston  set  up  in  Tennessee  Hollow.  Later,  when  Greely  wrote  his  own  account  of  the 
earthquake  he  recorded  that  of  the  permanent  relief  camps  under  military  control,  the 
Presidio  sheltered  four,  numbered  1,  2,  3  (Chinese),  and  4.  Fort  Mason  organized  number  15 
in  its  southwest  corner,  while  Camp  9  stood  kitty-corner  from  Mason  in  Lobos  Square.  The 
Presidio  camps  alone  had  a  population  of  16,000.  Three  military  districts  had  been  established 
to  oversee  the  relief  efforts:  No.  1  at  the  Presidio,  No.  2  at  Golden  Gate  Park,  and  No.  3  at 
Fort  Mason.31 

By  May  1  the  Army  had  inventoried  the  several  posts  in  the  Bay  Area  concerning  earthquake 
damage.  Most  of  them  experienced  very  little.  The  most  damage  occurred  at  the  Presidio  and 
the  U.S.  Army  (Letterman)  General  Hospital. 

Posts  Immediate  Needs       Ultimate  Needs  Total 

Presidio  of  San  Francisco  $42,000  $83,320  $127,320 

General  Hospital  30,000  45,000  75,000 

Immediate  needs  included  chimney  and  roof  repairs,  but  not  plastering  repairs.  The  most 
severe  damage  occurred  to  the  relatively  new  brick  buildings,  especially  the  bachelor  officers' 
quarters  (42)  and  gymnasium  (122).  The  Officers'  Club  and  Mess  (then,  20),  for  example, 
required  repairs  to  chimneys,  roof,  underpinning,  plaster,  and  walls. 

At  the  time  of  the  quake  three  adobes  remained  at  the  Presidio:  Quarters  16  and  Quarters  21 
and  the  Officers'  Club  20.  In  May  a  board  of  officers  met  to  report  on  the  condition  of  the  two 
sets  of  quarters.  They  found  that  the  north  and  south  gable  walls  of  Quarters  16  had  fallen 
out;  other  parts  of  the  walls  threatened  to  fall;  and  the  east  (front)  wall  was  badly  cracked 


30.  Greely,  April  23, 1906,  to  the  Military  Secretary,  War  Department,  OQMG,  General  Correspondence,  1890- 
1914,  RG  92,  NA;  Gordon  Thomas  and  Max  Morgan  Witts,  The  San  Francisco  Earthquake  (New  York:  Stein  and  Day, 
1971),  p.  273. 

31.  Adolphus  W.  Greely,  Earthquake  in  California,  April  18, 1906,  Special  Report  on  the  Relief  Operations  Conducted 
by  the  Military  Authorities  of  the  United  States  (Washington:  Government  Printing  Office,  1906),  pp.  1-9;  Presidial 
Weekly  Clarion,  April  27,  1906. 

77 


and  in  danger  of  falling.  Quarters  21  had  fared  the  same;  the  south  end  had  partly  fallen  out 
and  severe  cracks  in  the  north  and  east  walls  threatened  them  with  collapse.  The  officers 
concluded  that  both  buildings  were  too  dangerous  for  occupancy  and  too  badly  damaged  for 
repair.  They  recommended  that  both  be  condemned  and  torn  down.  Thus  it  came  about  that 
only  one  adobe,  Officers'  Club,  from  the  Spanish /Mexican  era  remained  at  the  Presidio.32 

E.          Fort  Winfield  Scott,  Again 

As  the  modern,  concrete  and  earth  coastal  fortifications  neared  completion  on  the 
Presidio's  bay  and  ocean  fronts  -  eighteen  batteries  -  the  Army  began  planning  for  quarters 
and  administrative  buildings  on  the  west  side  of  the  Presidio  reservation,  an  area  that  would 
be  formally  named  Fort  Winfield  Scott,  enlarging  the  original  Fort  Scott  or  Fort  Point.  Even 
before  the  earthquake,  plans  and  specifications  had  been  prepared  for  the  new  post.  By  1906 
several  people  began  arguing  for  "the  Spanish  Mission  style"  of  architecture  for  new 
construction  at  both  the  Presidio  and  Fort  Mason:  Maj.  William  W.  Harts,  who  prepared  plans 
for  improvement  for  both  posts;  the  architectural  firm  of  Rankin,  Kellogg,  and  Crane,  who 
would  be  designing  the  port  of  embarkation  at  Mason;  and  Maj.  C.A.  Devol,  who  had  been 
the  depot  quartermaster  in  San  Francisco  and  who  was  now  a  voice  on  the  General  Staff  in 
Washington.  Shortly  after  the  earthquake  the  Quartermaster  General  wrote  that  any 
construction  for  the  coast  artillery  was  being  held  up  pending  a  decision  by  the  War 
Department  whether  to  build  standard  structures  or  to  conform  to  the  Spanish  Mission  style. 
Because  of  the  earthquake,  he  recommended  that  Fort  Scott's  construction  be  deferred  and 
the  funds  ($245,000)  be  used  elsewhere.  Harts  completed  his  report  in  January  1907  in  which 
he  called  for,  among  other  things,  red  tile  roofs  for  future  construction.  Devol,  on  a  visit  to 
San  Francisco  in  August  1907,  wrote  that,  "the  plan  of  the  buildings  in  the  old  Spanish  style 
with  tile  roofs  appears  to  be  a  good  one,  and  the  plant  should  be  an  ornament  to  the  Pacific 
Coast."33 


32.  Chief  Quartermaster,  Department  of  California,  May  1,  1906,  to  QMG;  Proceedings  of  a  Board  of  Officers 
convened  at  the  Presidio  of  San  Francisco,  May  18,  1906;  and  J.L.  Clem,  Department  of  California,  June  20,  1906, 
Report  on  Earthquake  Damage,  all  Posts,  all  in  OQMG,  General  Correspondence,  1890-1914,  RG  92,  NA.  The 
Department  of  California  did  not  estimate  damages  to  Fort  Point  inasmuch  as  the  Corps  of  Engineers  continued 
to  be  responsible  for  its  upkeep.  Fort  Point's  south  wall  had  moved  outward  fifteen  inches  at  the  top,  rendering 
it  unsafe  as  a  barracks. 

33.  Quartermaster  General,  April  20,  1906,  to  the  Military  Secretary,  War  Department;  Maj.  A.C.  Devol, 
September  21,  1907,  to  the  Inspector  General,  War  Department,  both  in  OQMG,  General  Correspondence,  1890- 
1914,  RG  92,  NA. 

78 


Thus  the  Army  departed  from  following  standard  plans  when  it  came  to  building  the  new 
barracks  and  administrative  buildings  at  Fort  Winfield  Scott.  Officers'  quarters  on  Kobbe 
Avenue,  where  construction  had  already  occurred,  continued  to  be  built  according  to  standard 
plans. 


79 


CHAPTER  5:  THE  PRESIDIO  AND  THE  FORT,  1906-1930 


A.         A  Headquarters  for  the  Division 

Fire  having  destroyed  their  rented  offices  in  the  city,  both  the  division  and  the 
department  installed  temporary  facilities  in  the  rough  structures  in  the  recruit  training  area 
of  the  Infantry  Cantonment.  By  the  end  of  1907  the  "Depot  of  Recruits"  had  moved  to  Angel 
Island  and  their  former  area  at  the  Presidio  became  known  as  East  and  West  Cantonments. 
Maj.  William  Harts  now  prepared  detailed  plans  for  a  new  office  building  for  both 
headquarters.  He  recommended  that  a  two-story,  100-room  structure  be  erected  at  the 
southwest  corner  of  Fort  Mason  and  he  estimated  the  cost  of  this  concrete,  "mission"  styled 
building  with  its  red  tile  roof  at  slightly  over  $1  million.1 

General  Funston  strongly  supported  Harts'  plans,  particularly  because  rents  were 
skyrocketing  in  reconstructed  San  Francisco.  In  the  end,  the  War  Department  disapproved  of 
the  Fort  Mason  site  because  the  Quartermaster  Department  had  begun  planning  for  it  to 
become  a  permanent  supply  depot  for  army  installations  on  the  West  Coast  as  well  as  for 
Hawaii,  the  Philippines,  and  Alaska.  Neither  did  the  Presidio  consider  itself  to  have  sufficient 
open  space  for  such  a  building  at  that  time.  As  a  result,  army  headquarters  returned  to  rented 
floors  in  the  Chronicle  Building  in  downtown  San  Francisco  by  the  end  of  1908.2 


B.          Housing  and  Other  Structures  1907-1910 

By  1907  the  Presidio's  strength  had  grown  so  extensively  that  General  Funston  felt 
compelled  to  write  the  War  Department  at  length  to  describe  the  deplorable  conditions  of 
enlisted  housing.  At  that  time  the  garrison  consisted  of  fifteen  companies  of  Coast  Artillery, 
three  batteries  of  Field  Artillery,  six  troops  of  Cavalry,  a  Hospital  Corps  company,  the  School 
for  Cooks  and  Bakers,  and  was  expecting  a  Signal  Corps  company.  He  said  that  two  of  the 
field  artillery  batteries  had  decent  quarters.  Many  of  the  coast  artillery  companies  were 
doubled  up  in  the  brick  barracks  that  had  been  designed  for  one  company  each.  Another 
coast  artillery  company  was  living  full  time  in  the  "shed"  barracks  that  had  been  built  at  Fort 
Scott  for  temporary  use.  Still  others  found  homes  in  crude  quarters  in  West  Cantonment  as 


1.  Maj.   William   W.   Harts,   April    18,    1907,   to   Adjutant   General,   Pacific   Division,   OQMG,   General 
Correspondence  1890-1914,  RG  92,  NA. 

2.  Actg.  Sec.  of  War  Robert  S.  Oliver,  June  18, 1907;  M.H.  DeYoung,  San  Francisco  Chronicle,  February  8,  1909, 
to  Maj.  Gen.  J.F.  Weston,  Dept.  of  California,  both  in  OQMG,  General  Correspondence,  1890-1914,  RG  92,  NA. 

81 


did  the  School  for  Cooks  and  Bakers,  the  hospital  company,  and  still  some  of  the  Department 
of  California  offices. 

The  14th  Cavalry  troops  occupied  twelve  small  barracks  in  East  Cantonment  (nos.  563,  567, 
569,  and  572  surviving  from  this  period).  The  Inspector  General  thought  the  barracks  could 
be  made  comfortable,  but  the  kitchen  buildings  were  wholly  inadequate,  as  were  the 
temporary  stables  (sheds)  that  exposed  the  horses  to  rain  and  wind.  Funston  concluded  his 
letter,  "It  is  therefore  recommended  that  plans  for  the  rebuilding  of  the  Presidio  of  San 
Francisco  to  accommodate  the  troops  stationed  there  now  with  the  addition  of  a  regiment  of 
Infantry  be  considered."3 

In  1909  the  department  quartermaster  carried  out  a  thorough  inspection  of  all  post 
quartermaster  operations.  He  noted  that  the  Presidio  had  a  crematory  for  the  burning  of 
garbage  and  the  sewer  system  that  emptied  into  the  bay  operated  satisfactorily.  While  mineral 
oil  remained  the  main  source  of  lighting,  he  recommended  that  electricity  be  employed  for 
exterior  illumination  and  for  lighting  the  interiors  of  the  modern  buildings.  The  rock  quarry 
and  a  roller  allowed  the  Presidio's  roads  to  be  adequately  maintained,  at  least  in  good 
weather.  He  inspected  the  two  hundred  or  so  buildings  in  East  and  West  Cantonments  and 
reported  them  unsuited  for  the  weather  conditions.  Only  twelve  new  kitchen  buildings  were 
"satisfactory  in  appointment  and  superior  in  construction."  He  found  many  latrines  and 
bathhouses  unfit  for  use. 

The  brick  barracks  at  the  main  post  remained  in  fair  condition.  Water  stood  on  the  basement 
latrine  floors;  the  plaster  walls  and  ceilings  required  retinting;  and,  worse  than  anything,  the 
barrack  rooms  were  severely  overcrowded,  resulting  in  inadequate  ventilation,  lighting,  and 
fire  escapes.  The  wood  frame  barracks,  though  old,  had  fairly  good  maintenance.  They  needed 
some  repainting,  reflooring,  and  new  latrine  facilities.  Other  structures  at  the  main  post,  both 
brick  and  wood,  generally  required  minor  repairs,  but  some  of  the  older  storehouses  and 
stables  had  about  reached  the  end  of  their  usefulness.  As  for  the  main  entrance  road  from 
Lombard  Street,  past  the  general  hospital,  and  on  to  the  storehouses  and  stables,  the  time  had 
come  to  pave  it  with  concrete  and  bitumen  "in  the  manner  prevailing  in  San  Francisco."4 


3.  Bng.  Gen.  Frederick  Funston,  January  14, 1908,  to  the  Adjutant  General,  OQMG,  General  Correspondence 
1890-1914,  RG  92,  NA. 

4.  Robert  R.  Stevens,  Dept.  of  California,  June  28,  1909,  memo  for  the  Adjutant  General,  Dept.  of  California, 
OQMG,  General  Correspondence  1890-1914,  RG  92,  NA. 

82 


31.  Officers'  Quarters,  Infantry  Terrace,  1925.  These  handsome  quarters  constructed  for  the  30th  Infantry 

Regiment,  stood  near  the  southwest  corner  of  the  main  parade  ground.  Built  in  1910,  these  were  the  first 
quarters  at  the  Presidio  to  be  built  along  contour  lines  as  recommended  by  Major  Harts  rather  than  the 
Army's  traditional  straight  rows.  U.S.  Army,  Presidio  Army  Museum 


New  brick  construction  at  the  main  post  at  this  time  included  a  120-man,  U-plan  barracks 
(100)  at  the  south  end  of  the  brick  barracks  row.  The  central  section  of  the  two-story,  1909 
building  measured  51  feet  by  91  feet,  and  each  wing,  39  feet  by  92  feet.  Generally  similar  to 
the  older  brick  barracks,  it  was  built  in  the  Colonial  Revival  style.  Unlike  the  other  barracks, 
dormers  did  not  adorn  the  roof.  A  porch  along  the  central  section  had  two  stories.  At  the 
other  end  of  the  row  a  small,  two-story,  brick  barracks  (106),  also  constructed  in  1909,  housed 
a  regimental  band.  Built  in  the  Colonial  Revival  style,  the  building  had  raking  wood  cornice 
moldings  on  the  gable  ends;  these  gable  ends  had  inscribed  circles  reminiscent  of  the  bulls-eye 
windows  in  buildings  of  Georgian  and  Georgian  Revival  styles.  The  window  heads  had 
segmental  relieving  arches;  and  the  wooden  porch  had  the  upper  story  enclosed,  probably 
later. 


83 


Behind  barracks  row  the  Army  had  three  duplex,  brick  noncommissioned  officers'  quarters 
(124, 125,  and  126)  constructed  in  1909.  These  became  the  first  such  permanent  quarters  at  the 
Presidio  for  this  important  group  of  soldiers  and  their  families.  Called  "EM  family  housing" 
today,  these  2^-story  quarters  with  one-story  wood  porches  on  the  fronts,  each  having  Tuscon 
columns  and  railings,  continue  to  house  noncommissioned  officers.  Built  in  the  style  of 
Colonial  Revival  or  Georgian  Revival,  the  buildings  had  windows  with  segmental  heads. 
Lunettes  with  fan-sash  sat  below  the  ridges  in  the  gable  ends.  Each  structure  had  a  gable  roof 
and  molded  wood  cornices  with  returns  on  the  gable  ends. 

One  other  brick  building  erected  in  1909,  a  second  bakery  (228),  stood  adjacent  to  the  1897 
bakery  east  of  Halleck  Street.  It  measured  65  feet  by  66  feet  and  like  the  earlier  bakery  the 
one-story  building  had  a  hipped  roof  with  a  central  monitor,  also  hipped.  Openings  in  the 
building  had  reveals  and  relieving  arches.  Its  architectural  style  was  Utilitarian  or  Industrial 
vernacular.  A  quartermaster  inspector  noted  that  this  bakery  had  developed  cracks  in  its  brick 
walls,  probably  due  to  having  been  built  partly  on  fill.5 

Other  construction  activities  at  the  Presidio  during  these  years  included  an  octagonal 
bandstand  at  the  southwest  corner  of  the  parade  near  the  officers'  club  (the  Army  moved  it 
to  Infantry  Terrace  in  1927,  then  demolished  it  in  1935).  Construction  of  an  electrical 
substation  (680)  near  the  cavalry  barracks  in  1908  marked  the  recent  introduction  of  electricity 
to  the  Presidio.  In  1911  an  Utilitarian  styled,  brick  electrical  switching  station  (107),  located 
west  of  the  brick  barracks  105  at  the  main  post,  also  heralded  the  electrification  of  the  post. 
Earlier,  in  1908,  the  post  quartermaster  noted  with  alarm  the  rapid  erosion  of  the  shoreline 
in  lower  Presidio.  He  said  that  the  telephone  poles  had  had  to  be  moved  inland  forty  feet, 
twice.  He  too  recommended  fill  and  a  seawall.  In  the  same  letter  he  noted  that  the  stone  wall 
on  the  reservation's  east  boundary  remained  incomplete.6 


C.          Infantry  Terrace 

Major  Harts'  plan  for  quarters  being  sited  on  contour  lines  rather  than  in  the 
traditional  long  straight  rows  came  into  being  in  1910-1911  with  the  construction  of  officers' 
quarters  on  Infantry  Terrace  southwest  of  the  main  post's  parade  ground.  The  name  grew  out 
of  the  fact  that  the  Thirtieth  Infantry  Regiment  returned  to  the  post  at  this  time  in  a 


5.  Ibid. 

6.  J.L.  Clem,  Dept.  of  California,  August  8,  1908,  to  QMG;  Capt.  ?,  PSF,  December  1,  1908,  to  the  Adjutant, 
PSF,  both  in  OQMG,  General  Correspondence,  1890-1914,  RG  92,  NA;  Col.  F.C.  Holies,  30th  Infantry,  August  11, 
1927,  to  Commander,  Ninth  Corps  Area,  OQMG,  General  Correspondence  Geographical  File,  hereinafter  cited  as 
GCGF,  1922-1935,  RG  92,  NA. 

84 


permanent  change  of  station.  Numbered  325  through  345,  the  buildings  varied  in  plan.  All 
but  two  had  concrete  walls  and  company  grade  officers  occupied  them.  Field  grade  officers 
lived  in  the  two  brick  quarters,  341  and  342.  Ten  of  the  concrete  quarters  were  duplexes  while 
the  other  nine  housed  single  families. 

Two-story,  rectangular  in  plan,  the  buildings  had  hip-and-gable  tiled  roofs.  All  had  one-story 
front  porches  that  were  divided  in  half  with  two  flights  of  steps  for  the  duplexes.  Stucco 
covered  the  concrete  walls.  While  the  buildings  lacked  sufficient  ornament  and  detail  to 
establish  a  definite  style,  they  were  described  as  being  California  Craftsman /Spanish 
Mediterranean  eclectic.7 

Also  in  1910  two  more  structures  became  part  of  the  industrial  area  on  the  east  side  of 
Halleck  Street:  Warehouse  222,  two-story,  reinforced  concrete,  measuring  31  feet  by  79  feet, 
having  a  hip-and-gable  roof  with  dormers,  and  a  simplified  Colonial  Revival /Utilitarian  style; 
and  storehouse  225,  2'/2  stories,  brick,  some  windows  barred  or  boarded  over,  measuring  24 
feet  by  30  feet,  and  similar  in  style  to  222.  (The  construction  quartermaster  employed 
reinforced  concrete  more  and  more  following  the  1906  earthquake  inasmuch  as  that  material 
survived  the  quake  better  than  brick.) 

In  the  five  years  between  1910  and  1915  two  major  developments  took  place  at  the  Presidio 
of  San  Francisco:  construction  of  the  coast  artillery  post,  Fort  Winfield  Scott;  and  the  building 
of  a  large  part  of  the  Panama-Pacific  International  Exposition  in  lower  Presidio.  While  these 
major  events  took  place,  the  post  underwent  the  usual  activities  such  as  inspections,  minor 
improvements,  and  occasional  disasters.  The  officers'  club,  by  now  a  firmly  established  post 
institution,  held  an  elegant  reception  in  1912  for  a  new  commander  of  the  30th  Infantry,  Col. 
Charles  McClure.  Only  two  civilians  attended  the  event,  San  Francisco's  mayor,  James  Rolph, 
Jr.,  and  Mrs.  Rolph: 

The  scene  was  a  brillant  one.  The  light  blue  [uniform  trimmings]  of  the 
infantry  hosts,  the  canary  of  the  cavalry,  the  red  of  the  artillery,  the  maroon  of 
the  medical  corps,  the  orange  of  the  signal  corps,  mingled  with  the  various 


7.  Historical  Reports  Relating  to  Post  Planning,  1899-1945,  Box  11,  Infantry  Terrace,  Sixth  Corps  Area 
Quartermaster,  U.S.  Army  Commands,  1920-42,  RG  394,  NA. 

8.  Ibid.,  Box  11,  Main  Post. 

85 


shades  of  the  ladies'  gowns  presented  such  a  dazzling  effect  as  had  not  been 
seen  in  San  Francisco  since  the  famous  fleet  ball  at  the  Fairmont  in  1908.9 

In  its  sixty-fifth  year  as  a  U.S.  Army  post  the  Presidio  of  San  Francisco  possessed  a  certain 
maturity. 


D.         Fires  and  Firemen 

Over  the  years  the  Presidio  suffered  from  a  number  of  building  fires,  especially  in  the 
substandard  wooden  structures  at  East  and  West  Cantonments.  Most  often  faulty  chimneys 
and  sparks  from  coal  fires  caused  the  blazes.  The  first  recorded  fatalities  occurred  in  1913 
when  fire  destroyed  the  quarters  of  Sgt.  George  H.  Schall  in  West  Cantonment.  Five  people 
lost  their  lives:  Mrs.  Schall  who  was  a  paralytic,  their  three  children,  and  Mrs.  Schall's  mother. 
The  garrison  -  two  regiments  of  infantry,  two  troops  of  cavalry,  Hospital  Corps  soldiers,  men 
from  the  Signal  Corps,  and  the  women  and  children  of  the  post,  voluntarily  attended  the 
funeral  in  the  national  cemetery.  The  1st  Cavalry  band  played  the  funerary  music.  Despite 
the  outpouring  of  sympathy,  the  Presidio  did  little  or  nothing  to  improve  its  fire  fighting 
resources.10 

A  year  later  the  wife  of  a  sergeant  in  the  16th  Infantry  band  lost  her  life  in  another  quarters 
fire.  But  it  was  a  house  fire  in  August  1915  that  brought  attention  to  the  obvious  -  that  the 
Presidio's  fire  fighting  system  of  untrained  soldiers  was  wholly  inadequate  and  that  the  post 
had  no  trained  firemen. 

Brig.  Gen.  John  J.  (Black  Jack)  Pershing,  veteran  of  the  Philippine  battles,  arrived  at  the 
Presidio  in  January  1914  to  take  command  of  the  Eighth  Infantry  Brigade  (6th,  12th,  and  16th 
Infantry  regiments).  He  settled  his  family  in  a  renovated  set  of  two-story,  wood  frame 
quarters  on  the  west  side  of  the  parade  that  had  previously  been  the  quarters  of  the  post 
commander.  Troubles  in  Mexico  and  incidents  on  the  Mexican  border  had  caused  American 
troops,  including  the  Presidio's,  to  establish  posts  along  the  international  boundary.  General 


9.  The  San  Francisco  Call,  January  17,  1912.  The  30th  Infantry  had  first  been  organized  at  the  Presidio  in 
March  1901  and  had  promptly  departed  for  duty  in  the  Philippines.  It  returned  to  the  Presidio  in  1909  and 
occupied  the  brick  barracks,  forcing  the  artillery  troops  to  find  shelter  elsewhere.  In  June  1912  the  regiment 
transferred  to  Alaska  where  it  remained  until  July  1914.  It  then  returned  to  the  Presidio  to  replace  the  infantry 
brigade  that  had  departed  for  the  Mexican  border.  In  World  War  I  it  served  in  France  as  part  of  the  Third  Infantry 
Division.  Once  again,  in  1922,  it  came  back  to  the  Presidio  where  it  remained  for  many  years.  The  regiment  came 
to  be  called  "San  Francisco's  Own"  and  carried  a  special  green  regimental  standard  bearing  that  appellation.  Its 
motto:  "Our  Country,  Not  Ourselves."  Workers  of  the  Writers'  Program,  Work  Projects  Administration,  "The  Army 
at  the  Golden  Gate"  (Presidio  of  San  Francisco,  n.d.),  p.  110;  Mahon  and  Danysh,  Infantry,  pp.  531-532. 

10.  San  Francisco  Chronicle,  April  27  and  29,  1913. 

86 


32.  Fire  destroyed  Brig.  Gen.  John  J.  Pershing's  Presidio  quarters  in  1915,  killing  Mrs.  Pershing  and  three  of 

their  children.  One  result  of  this  fire  was  the  Presidio's  acquisition  of  a  professional  fire  department,  the 
first  in  the  Army.  U.S.  Army,  Presidio  Army  Museum 


Pershing,  stationed  at  Fort  Bliss,  near  El  Paso,  Texas,  in  August  1915,  and  anticipating  the 
arrival  of  his  wife  and  four  children  in  a  few  days,  suddenly  learned  terrible  news.  On 
August  27  live  coals  dropped  from  an  open  grate  to  the  wood  floor  in  the  Presidio  quarters. 
Mrs.  Pershing  and  her  three  daughters  sleeping  upstairs  died  by  suffocation.  The  five-year-old 
son  survived.  Others  who  escaped  included  Mrs.  James  R.  Church  and  Mrs.  Walter  O. 
Boswell,  visiting  army  wives;  William  Johnson,  Pershing's  valet;  and  two  women  servants. 

An  army  board  of  investigation  noted  that  fifteen  minutes  had  elapsed  before  the  Army 
alerted  the  San  Francisco  Fire  Department  of  the  blaze.  The  San  Francisco  fire  chief 
recommended  that  the  Presidio  organize  a  fire  company  from  its  soldiers,  have  the  city  fire 


87 


33.  The  Presidio's  fire  station  at  the  main  post.  E.  Thompson,  1991 


department  drill  them,  and  assign  them  permanently  to  the  Presidio  as  a  fire  department.  The 
Army  accepted  the  recommendations  and  constructed  the  Presidio  fire  station  (218)  on 
Lincoln  Boulevard  in  1917.  The  hip-and-gable  roof  with  gable-roofed  dormers  and  the  hose 
tower  suggest  a  stripped  Craftsman  style,  but  the  lack  of  detail  best  characterizes  the  building 
as  Utilitarian.11  The  Army  then  hired  professional  civilian  firemen  to  man  it,  the  beginning 
of  professional  fire  departments  on  army  posts  nationwide. 


11.  Capt.  E.T.  Hartman,  OQMG,  May  11,  1914,  to  Western  Department,  OQMG,  General  Correspondence 

1890-1914,  RG  92,  NA;  San  Francisco  Examiner,  August  28,  29,  30,  and  31,  1915;  San  Francisco  Chronicle,  August  28, 
29,  and  30,  1915.  Mrs.  Pershing's  father,  Francis  Warren,  U.S.  Senator  from  Wyoming,  rushed  to  California.  The 
surviving  son,  Francis  Warren  Pershing,  a  veteran  of  World  War  II,  died  in  1980.  New  York  Times,  June  10,  1980. 

88 


One  other  Presidio  fire  of  note  occurred  in  the  officers'  club  in  1915  when  a  roof  caught  on 
fire.  Although,  Kinnaird,  "History  of  the  Golden  Gate,"  p.  370,  wrote  that  much  of  the 
building  was  obliterated,  it  is  believed  that  damage  was  modest  and  the  building  continued 
to  function  as  a  club.  According  to  a  1913  newspaper  article,  the  War  Department  had 
ordered  the  adobe  building  razed  "some  time  ago."  Due  to  the  efforts  of  the  "California 
Historic  Landmarks  League,"  who  planned  to  place  a  bronze  tablet  on  the  building,  the  Army 
rescinded  the  order.  Fire  or  no  fire,  completion  reports  showed  that  the  building  received  an 
electric  light  system  in  1912,  gas  steam  radiators  in  1926,  and  six  chandeliers  in  1927.12 

Since  the  1915  Pershing  tragedy,  the  Presidio  had  been  well  served  by  its  trained  civilian  fire 
department.  A  crisis  arose  in  1920  when  the  War  Department  directed  that  the  number  of 
firemen  be  reduced  from  twenty  to  seven.  San  Francisco  newspapers  joined  the  chorus  of 
protesters,  recalling  the  Pershing  fire  and  similar  events.  The  outcome  of  this  incident  remains 
unknown;  the  records  indicate  that  five  or  six  firemen,  accompanied  by  a  Seagrave  pumper, 
and  sometimes  by  a  Dodge  chemical  apparatus,  fought  post  fires  in  the  years  that 
followed.13 

The  fire  department  was  kept  busy  in  the  1920s.  Most  of  the  older  buildings  had  wood 
shingles  and  sparks  from  coal  stoves  constantly  lodged  in  them.  In  1925  one  of  the  officers' 
quarters  built  in  1886  on  the  east  side  of  Funston  Avenue  caught  fire.  The  quartermaster 
asked  for  $1,600  to  repair  the  building  because  it  was  particularly  desirable  as  an  officer's 
quarters.  A  year  later  a  requisition  appeared  for  reshingling  the  roofs  of  all  the  older  quarters 
at  the  main  post;  it  said  the  existing  shingles  posed  a  fire  menace. 

In  1927  a  latrine  across  the  street  from  the  fire  house  caught  fire.  A  board  of  investigation 
decided  that  a  cigarette  caused  the  blaze.  That  same  year  fire  completely  destroyed  a 
sergeant's  quarters  in  the  West  Cantonment.  He  lost  everything  but  his  family  escaped  safely. 
Back  at  the  main  post  a  six-year-old  boy  set  an  officer's  house  on  fire  by  touching  battery 
wires  together,  causing  only  minor  damage.14 


12.  Typescript  from  San  Francisco  Examiner,  November  16,  1913,  in  Richard  N.  Schellens  Papers,  California 
Historical  Society;  Completion  Reports,  Presidio  of  San  Francisco,  Book  6,  Box  260C,  RG  77,  NA  -  Suitland  Branch. 

13.  San  Francisco  Chronicle,  July  23, 1920;  Boards  of  Officers  investigating  fires,  PSF,  1927,  OQMG,  GCGF  1922- 
1935,  RG  92,  N  A. 

14.  Lt.  Col.  H.R.  Casey,  June  4, 1925,  to  the  Adjutant  General;  Annual  Estimate  Priorities  for  Fiscal  Year  1926; 
Boards  of  Officers,  PSF,  June  30  and  December  16,  1927;  and  Col.  L.L.  Deitrick,  September  10,  1926,  to  QMG,  all 
in  OQMG,  GCGF  1922-1935,  RG  92,  NA.  The  material  for  the  reshingling  was  not  stated. 

89 


E.          Barracks  35  and  Cavalry  Stables 

Concrete  replaced  brick  as  the  favorite  construction  material  in  1912  when  the 
quartermaster  supervised  the  building  of  a  large,  three-story  barracks  with  mess  facilities  (35) 
at  the  northeast  end  of  the  original  parade  and  immediately  west  of  the  post  hospital.  A  one- 
story  concrete  porch  extended  along  its  west  side,  the  roof  of  which  served  as  a  porch  for  the 
second-floor  occupants.  The  third  floor  had  four  large  iron  balconies,  also  on  the  west  side. 
As  first  built  the  structure  measured  approximately  92  feet  by  303  feet.  Architecturally  the 
building  had  a  Mixed  or  Eclectic  style  with  references  to  Classical  Revival  and  Mediterranean 
Revival.  Not  all  its  early  occupants  have  been  identified,  but  at  one  time  the  Presidio's  famed 
School  for  Cooks  and  Bakers  lived  in  the  building.  Then,  in  1920,  the  newly  formed 
headquarters  of  the  Ninth  Corps  Area  arrived  at  the  Presidio  and  occupied  the  barracks  as 
offices.15 

The  Presidio  resumed  work  on  the  cavalry  complex  in  1913-1914  when  it  constructed  five 
brick  stables  (661,  662,  663,  667,  and  668),  each  for  102  horses,  in  the  hollow  north  of  the  lone 
cavalry  barracks.  A  veterinary  hospital  occupied  stable  668.  Later,  a  row  of  dog  kennels 
occupied  the  space  between  stables  667  and  668.  In  1976  the  post  veterinarian  and  the  food 
inspection  facilities  moved  into  stable  663.  Others  became  warehouses  and  an  auto  shop  in 
later  years.  Each  of  the  long  rectangular-plan  brick  stables  had  a  central  gable-roofed  section 
fenestrated  to  provide  light  for  the  interior  and  flanking  sections  with  shed  or  mono-pitched 
roofs.  Openings  had  reveals  and  segmental-arched  heads.  They  were  Utilitarian  or  Industrial 
vernacular  in  style. 


F.  Fort  Winfield  Scott 

In  1901  the  U.S.  Army  divided  its  artillery  into  field  artillery  and  coast  artillery.  At  the 
same  time  the  Quartermaster  Department  prepared  plans  for  the  increase  in  coast  artillery 
quarters  for  the  San  Francisco  Bay  Area  -  Fort  Winfield  Scott,  Fort  Baker,  Fort  Barry,  and  Fort 
Miley.  The  arrival  of  the  30th  Infantry  Regiment  at  the  Presidio  in  1909  caused  the  War 
Department  to  speed  up  construction  of  Fort  Scott.16 


1?.  Completion  Reports,  1917-1919  and  1934,  PSF,  Construction  Division,  OQMG,  RG  92,  NA.  During  World 

War  II  this  building  served  as  headquarters  for  the  Fourth  U.S.  Army  and  the  Western  Defense  Command. 

16.  William  Addleman  Ganoe,  The  Hiaton/  of  the  United  State*  Army,  rev.  ed.  (New  York:  D.  Appleton-Century, 

1942),  p.  428;  "Proposed  Distribution  of  the  Coast  Artillery  .  . .;"  and  Lt.  Col.  C.J.  Bailey,  War  Department,  April  10, 
1909,  to  QMG,  both  the  latter  in  OQMG,  General  Correspondence  1890-1914,  RG  92,  NA.  In  January  1907  eight 
companies  of  the  Coast  Artillery  lived  at  the  Presidio. 

90 


34.  Barracks  34.  This  large  concrete  barracks,  located  on  the  original  parade  and  built  in  1912,  became  the 

headquarters  of  the  Ninth  Corps  Area  in  1920.  E.  Thompson,  1991 


35.  Two  of  the  five  brick  cavalry  stables  built  in  1913-1914  near  the  cavalry  barracks.  Later  used  by  the 

Quartermaster  Department,  they  eventually  became  warehouses  and  a  veterinary  hospital.  E.  Thompson, 
1991 


91 


36.  Officers'  quarters,  Kobbe  Avenue,  Fort  Winfield  Scott,  built  between  1910  and  1912.  Like  those  on 

Infantry  Terrace  they  followed  standard  army  plans  and  stood  along  contour  lines  rather  than  straight 
rows.  WPA  funds  probably  paid  for  the  extensive  masonry  walls.  E.  Thompson,  1991 


37.  The  commanding  officer's  quarters,  Fort  Winfield  Scott,  built  in  1915.  In  1990  it  served  as  a  residence  for 

the  deputy  commander,  Sixth  U.S.  Army.  E.  Thompson,  1991 


92 


Officers'  quarters  1302  and  1304,  both  built  on  Kobbe  Avenue  in  1902  had  marked  the 
beginning  of  such  quarters  at  Fort  Scott.  Between  1910  and  1912  ten  additional  buildings 
following  standard  army  plans  came  into  being  along  the  curving  avenue  as  called  for  by 
Major  Harts  in  his  1907  plan:  1300,  1308,  and  1310  built  in  1910;  1314,  1320,  1322,  1324,  1326, 
1328,  and  1334  built  in  1912.  In  1915  two  additional  sets  of  quarters,  1330  and  1337,  completed 
the  scene: 

1300  -  single  residence,  2/2  stories  quadraplex 

1308  -  quadraplex,  brick,  2/2  stories 

1310  -  duplex,  concrete,  2/2  stories 

1314  -  single  residence,  brick,  3  stories 

1320  -  duplex,  concrete,  2/2  stories 

1322  -  single  residence,  brick,  3  stories 

1324  -  duplex,  concrete,  2/2  stories 

1326  -  duplex,  concrete,  2/2  stories 

1328  -  duplex,  concrete,  2Vi  stories 

1330  -  bachelor  officers'  quarters,  brick,  3  stories  with  a  two-story  porch  along 

the  front.  Named  Barnard  Hall 
1334  -  quadraplex,  brick,  2/2  stories 
1337  -  single  residence,  brick,  2/2  stories,  commanding  officer's  quarters.  This  building 

stood  separately  from  the  others,  on  the  north  side  of  Kobbe  Avenue  and 

facing  east. 

Quarters  1300,  1308,  and  1310  had  the  Mediterranean  Revival  style  with  cream-colored 
stuccoed  walls,  tiled  hip  roofs  with  shaped  brackets  under  the  eaves,  and  entrance  porticos 
having  wrought-iron  railings.  The  other  quarters'  architectural  style  was  Colonial  Revival  in 
the  Georgian /Federal  mode,  with  brick  walls,  dormers,  a  variety  of  porches,  and  some  tiled 
roofs.  Elaborate  brickwork  distinguished  quarters  1314  and  1322.  These  two  sets  along  with 
quarters  1334  had  balustrades  composed  of  white-painted  stick  railings  in  geometric  patterns. 
Polygonal  bays  decorated  the  facades  of  quarters  1330  and  1334.  The  commanding  officer's 
quarters,  1337,  was  a  fine  example  of  the  Colonial  Revival  style. 

The  horseshoe-shaped  parade  ground,  laid  out  in  1910,  covered  much  of  the  plateau  on  which 
the  light  artillery  had  once  used  as  a  drill  field.  Not  only  did  its  shape  reflect  Major  Harts' 
1907  recommendations,  the  buildings  that  soon  surrounded  it  exhibited  Mission  Revival 
architecture  as  had  been  advanced  as  a  concept  at  that  time.  The  administration  building 
(1201)  for  the  fort's  headquarters  stood  at  the  head  of  the  parade.  Completed  in  1910  the  two- 
story  concrete  building  measured  43  feet  by  87  feet.  On  the  west  side  of  the  horseshoe  the 


93 


BGBBHB 


Headquarters  building,  Fort  Winfield  Scott.  It  represented  the  beginning  of  Mission  Revival  architecture 
at  the  military  reservation,  the  Army's  departure  from  its  standard  plans.  E.  Thompson,  1991 


39.  The  Mission  Revival  style  enlisted  barracks  at  Fort  Winfield  Scott.  E.  Thompson 


94 


40.  Fort  Winfield  Scott's  Stockade  (Guardhouse),  described  as  both  Italian  Spanish  Mediterranean  Revival 

and  Italian  Rennaissance  Revival.  E.  Thompson,  1991 


Army  constructed  seven  concrete,  2/2  story,  I-shaped  barracks,  each  of  which  held  ninety-five 
soldiers.  Constructed  between  1910  and  1912,  they  numbered  1202  through  1208. 

The  east  side  of  the  parade  contained  three  similar  barracks  (1216-1218),  as  well  as  the  band 
barracks  (1214)  and  the  stockade  or  guardhouse  (1213),  all  constructed  in  1912.  Behind  the 
barracks  and  to  the  east  stood  a  second  row  of  buildings:  quartermaster  storehouse  and 
bowling  alley  (1219),  and  infirmary  (1224),  both  built  in  1912,  and  the  gymnasium  and 
assembly  hall  (1226)  erected  in  1911.  Like  the  rest  of  Scott's  early  buildings,  these  had  concrete 
walls  later  covered  with  stucco. 


The  administration  building,  or  post  headquarters  (1201),  Mission  Revival  in  style,  was 
enriched  with  a  trefoil  window  in  the  scrolled,  central  gable  and  a  wrought-iron  balcony 

95 


railing  above  the  entrance.  The  ten  barracks  (1202-1208  and  1216-1218),  also  Mission  Revival 
in  style,  had  tiled  gable  roofs,  hip-and-gable  dormers,  and  cross  gabled  end  sections.  Each 
gable  end  had  a  group  of  three  windows  of  which  the  center  one  had  a  round-arched  head. 
The  barracks'  ground  floors  that  faced  the  parade  ground  were  arcaded.  The  band  barracks 
(1214),  gymnasium  (1226),  and  quartermaster  office  (1220)  also  possessed  the  Mission  Revival 
style.  Other  buildings  in  the  1200  series,  such  as  the  bowling  alley  (1219)  and  the  blacksmith 
shop  (1231)  were  simplified,  utilitarian  versions  of  the  Mission  Revival  style. 

The  post  stockade  (1213)  was  a  square  block  structure  with  a  tiled,  hip  roof  having  large 
double  brackets  supporting  the  eaves.  This  style  was  called  both  Italian /Spanish 
Mediterranean  Revival  and  Italian  Renaissance  Revival.  It  was  an  eclectic  style  that  blended 
well  with  the  Mission  Revival  buildings.  The  infirmary  (1224)  was  similarly  styled. 

On  June  18,  1912,  The  San  Francisco  Call  ran  an  article,  "Two  Army  Posts  Now  in  Presidio." 
It  said  that  Fort  Winfield  Scott  had  been  removed  administratively  from  the  Presidio  proper 
as  a  separate  and  distinct  post,  "The  new  quarters  are  among  the  most  elaborate  and  modern 
in  the  United  States,  and  when  the  landscape  features  are  completed,  Fort  Winfield  Scott  will 
be  the  finest,  as  it  is  already  the  most  beautifully  located,  army  post  in  the  country."  The 
Presidio  post  returns  recorded,  "On  June  19,  1912,  the  separation  of  Fort  Winfield  Scott  from 
the  Presidio  of  San  Francisco,  Calif.,  as  an  independent  post,  was  effected,  all  Coast  Artillery 
Corps  at  the  Presidio  .  .  .  taking  station  at  Fort  Winfield  Scott,  per  G.O.  11,  Western  Division, 
June  18,  1912."17 

As  Fort  Scott  settled  down  to  manning  the  coastal  batteries,  additional  structures  became 
essential  components  of  the  post:  blacksmith  shop  (1231),  built  in  1913,  one-story  concrete; 
quartermaster  and  paint  shop  (1227),  built  in  1917,  one-story,  wood  frame;  quartermaster 
office  (1220),  built  in  1918,  two-story  concrete;  warehouse  (1230),  built  in  1918,  one-story, 
wood  frame;  flammable  storage  shed  (1245),  built  in  1918,  one-story;  gas  pumphouse  (1361), 
built  in  1919,  one-story;  and  officers'  recreation  center  (1331),  built  in  1921,  one-story. 
Although  this  last  has  been  extensively  altered,  a  recent  report  described  it  as  a  "good 
example  of  the  indoor /outdoor  movement  in  California  architecture."18  Built  of  brick  in  a 
Spanish  Mediterranean  Revival  style,  it  had  a  tiled  roof. 


17.  Presidio  of  San  Francisco,  Post  Returns,  June  1912,  Roll  972,  M617,  NA. 

18.  Heritage  Conservation  and  Recreation  Service,  Department  of  the  Interior,  Inventory  of  Buildings,  Presidio 
of  San  Francisco,  1981. 

96 


Between  1909  and  1921,  eleven  sets  of  quarters  for  noncommissioned  officers,  curving  along 
Ruckman  and  Storey  avenues  east  of  the  parade  ground,  contributed  to  the  scene  at  Fort 
Scott.  Varying  between  single  and  duplex  residences,  all  were  two-story,  wood  frame 
buildings: 

1909  1912  1918  1921 

1261  1272  1240  1263 

1262  1273  1266 
1265  1274  1270 
1268 

During  World  War  II  three  of  them  (1263,  1266,  and  1270)  became  bachelor  enlisted  quarters 
(BEQ)  for  senior  noncommissioned  officers.  All  these  quarters  fitted  in  well  with  the  earlier 
buildings  in  terms  of  color  and  material  although  they  were  basically  Colonial  Revival  rather 
than  Mission  Revival. 


G.         Panama-Pacific  International  Exposition 

Even  before  the  1906  earthquake,  leading  merchants  in  San  Francisco  had  discussed 
the  possibility  of  holding  a  world's  fair.  In  the  aftermath  of  the  disaster,  a  reconstructed  city 
looked  upon  the  concept  with  enthusiasm  and  in  1909  a  committee  settled  on  1915  as  the  date 
for  the  exposition,  the  year  the  Panama  Canal  was  expected  to  be  completed.  Planners 
selected  the  area  known  as  Harbor  View  (today,  Marina)  and  approached  the  Army  seeking 
permission  to  include  southern  Fort  Mason  and  the  lower  Presidio.  At  first  the  War 
Department  refused  to  surrender  its  land  for  the  five  years  the  fair  was  expected  to  run. 
Finally  relenting,  the  Army  leased  eighteen  acres  of  Fort  Mason  and  287  acres  of  the  Presidio 
to  the  Exposition  Company. 

For  several  years  army  officers  had  recommended  filling  the  lagoons  and  ponds  in  the  lower 
Presidio  and  now  the  exposition  company  undertook  the  task  and  filled  114  acres  by  dredging 
from  the  bay.  It  also  installed  a  system  of  sanitary  and  storm  sewers.  President  William  H. 
Taft  presided  at  the  ground  breaking  on  October  14,  1911  —  at  Golden  Gate  Park  —  and 
reviewed  Presidio's  troops.  As  it  had  agreed,  the  company  moved  the  four  supply  depot 
storehouses  from  their  site  near  the  Presidio  wharf  to  a  location  west  of  the  general  hospital, 
"and  several  other  Government  structures  were  removed  and  some  were  wrecked."  It 
expended  some  $19,000  in  moving  the  Fort  Point  Life  Saving  Station  farther  to  the  west  and 
constructing  a  new  steel  launchway  for  its  boats.  Six  large  greenhouses  and  related  structures 

97 


were  installed  in  the  Presidio's  Tennessee  Hollow  for  the  purpose  of  preparing  plants  for  the 
exposition  grounds.  The  Army  also  allowed  for  the  transplanting  of  some  of  its  tall  trees  to 
the  site  and  for  a  quarry  of  serpentine  rock  to  be  opened. 

During  the  fair,  which  lasted  less  than  one  year,  in  1915,  because  of  the  war  in  Europe, 
Presidio's  troops  took  part  in  all  parades  and  ceremonies  on  the  fair  grounds.  The  Coast 
Artillery  occasionally  fired  the  big  guns  at  targets  and  exploded  submarine  mines  in 
demonstrations.  In  February  1915  a  provisional  squadron  of  four  troops,  1st  Cavalry,  arrived 
at  the  Presidio  and  lent  its  impressive  appearance  throughout  the  year.  The  company  allowed 
enlisted  men  in  uniform  to  enter  the  grounds  free,  and  built  an  Enlisted  Men's  Club  House 
for  their  relaxation.  At  the  end  of  the  fair  the  Army  moved  this  building  to  higher  ground 
where  it  continued  to  function  as  a  service  club.  Its  eventual  fate  is  yet  unknown. 

At  the  east  boundary  of  the  reservation  the  State  of  Oregon  erected  its  imposing  Oregon 
Building.  At  the  conclusion  of  the  exposition  the  state  offered  the  structure  and  its  tallest- 
flagstaff-in-the-world  to  the  federal  government.  The  secretary  of  war  declined  the  offer 
because  it  was  not  suitable  for  military  use.  The  Army  did  retain  the  nearby  Palace  of  Fine 
Arts  but  in  1924  announced  that  it  would  tear  it  down.  An  uproar  of  protest  resulted.  The 
Army  delayed  the  demolition  and  entered  negotiations  with  the  city.  Finally  an  agreement 
was  reached  and  in  1927  the  U.S.  Army  gave  the  Palace  of  Fine  Arts  to  the  City  and  County 
of  San  Francisco  and  its  successors  for  "educational,  art,  exposition  and  park  purposes."1 


H.         World  War  I  and  the  1920s 

The  Presidio's  enlisted  strength  in  January  1916  stood  at  1,747  men.  In  February 
eighty-six  men  manned  the  post.  The  infantry  had  marched  to  the  Mexican  border,  and  the 
post's  strength  remained  below  one  hundred  for  the  rest  of  the  year.  All  that  changed  in  the 
spring  of  1917  when  the  United  States  declared  war  on  Germany.  Almost  immediately  a  large 
camp  of  temporary  buildings  sprang  up  on  the  lower  Presidio  where  the  exposition  buildings 
had  stood  only  a  few  months  before.  North  Cantonment  became  the  name  of  these  216 


19.  Frank  Morton  Todd,  The  Story  of  the  Exposition  .  .  .  Held  at  San  Francisco  in  1915,  5  vols.  (New  York: 

Knickerbocker  Press,  1921),  1:34-254;  J.F.  Bell,  November  16,  1915,  to  General  Tasker  H.  Bliss,  OQMG,  GCGF, 
RG  92,  NA.  Today  the  Presidio's  Directorate  of  Engineering  and  Housing's  offices  (283)  occupy  the  site  of  the 
Oregon  Building.  Some  people  believe  it  to  be  the  Oregon  Building,  but  there  is  no  similarity.  The  original  Palace 
of  Fine  Arts  consisted  of  plaster  on  chicken-wire  and  wood  frame,  a  massive  temporary  building  sufficient  in 
strength  to  last  for  the  duration  of  the  fair.  In  World  War  II  the  Army  occupied  the  structure  for  storage  of 
supplies.  Long  after  the  war  the  structure  became  dilapidated  and  unpreservable.  Then  a  philanthropist  donated 
money  to  tear  it  down  and  reconstruct  it  as  a  permanent  concrete  and  steel  structure,  which  is  the  present  Palace 
of  Fine  Arts. 

98 


structures  that  housed  6,000  men  who  formed  a  provisional  brigade.  An  officer  training 
school  at  the  post  accepted  college  graduates  from  the  western  states  as  well  as  enlisted  men. 

The  12th  Infantry  Regiment  returned  from  the  Mexican  border  and  resumed  training  along 
with  the  National  Guard's  362d  and  363d  regiments.  Fort  Scott's  61st  and  67th  Coast  Artillery 
companies  departed  for  France,  and  the  12th  Infantry  prepared  to  join  the  force  that  the 
United  States  dispatched  to  Siberia  in  1918  because  of  the  Russian  Revolution.  During  the  war 
the  Army  established  Camp  Fremont  at  Menlo  Park  twenty-five  miles  south  of  the  Presidio. 
This  tent  camp  had  a  capacity  of  30,000  persons.  There  the  Eighth  Infantry  Division  organized 
and  trained.  Its  commander  and  5,000  of  its  men  (but  not  the  12th  Infantry)  formed  a  major 
part  of  the  Siberian  force  that  departed  from  San  Francisco.20 

Besides  North  Cantonment,  the  Presidio  witnessed  other  significant  construction  during  the 
war  and  in  the  early  postwar  years.  In  1917  the  construction  quartermaster  supervised  the 
building  of  twelve  sets  of  officers'  quarters  on  East  Terrace  that  formed  a  gentle  arc  facing 
Presidio  Boulevard.  Similar  to  the  earlier  quarters  at  Infantry  Terrace,  each  had  two  stories, 
rectangular  plan,  stuccoed  concrete  walls,  and  hip-and-gable  tiled  roof.  The  eight  duplexes' 
front  porches  were  divided  in  half  and  had  two  flights  of  steps,  while  a  single  flight  of  steps 
led  to  the  porch  of  each  of  the  four  single  residences.  Eclectic  Craftsman /Mediterranean  in 
style,  the  residences  are  numbered  540  through  551. 

Because  of  the  war  and  the  overseas  deployment  of  troops,  Fort  Mason's  supply  depot 
expanded  even  more  into  the  lower  Presidio.  Between  1917  and  1919  it  constructed  thirteen 
warehouses  in  the  vicinity  of  the  Palace  of  Fine  Arts.  Utilitarian  in  style,  these  long, 
rectangular,  wood  frame  structures  had  low-pitched  gable  roofs,  horizontal  siding,  and 
loading  docks.  Also  in  1917  the  State  Belt  Railroad  of  California,  San  Francisco's  waterfront 


20.  Langellier,  "Bastion  by  the  Bay,"  pp.  270-271;  Kinnaird,  "History  of  the  Golden  Gate,"  pp.  340-343;  Stewart 

and  Erwin,  [History  of  the  Presidio],  p.  85;  William  S.  Graves,  America's  Siberian  Adventure,  1918-1920  (New  York: 
Cape  and  Smith,  1931),  p.  34;  John  T.  Knight,  September  12,  1923,  to  the  Adjutant  General,  War  Department, 
OQMG,  GCGF  1922-1935,  RG  92,  NA. 

Following  the  Bolshevik  revolution  in  Russia  in  1917,  two  Allied  expeditions  went  into  Russia  in  1918. 
Part  of  the  U.S.  85th  Division,  under  British  command,  entered  the  port  of  Murmansk  in  northwestern  Russia  to 
protect  Allied  military  supplies.  A  second  Allied  expedition,  including  10,000  American  troops,  landed  at  the 
Siberian  port  of  Vladivostok.  The  Americans,  under  the  command  of  Brig.  Gen.  William  S.  Graves,  secured  the 
eastern  section  of  the  Trans-Siberian  Railroad,  gave  aid  to  a  Czechoslovak  army  stranded  in  Siberia,  and  through 
its  presence  discouraged  any  Japanese  ambitions  to  annex  Russian  territory  in  the  confusion  following  the 
revolution.  General  Graves  resisted  pressure  to  take  action  against  the  Bolshevist  faction.  He  withdrew  the 
American  contingent  in  1920.  Webster's  American  Military  Biographies,  (Springfield,  MA,  1978)  pp.  150-151;  and 
Graves,  America's  Siberian  Adventure. 

99 


41.  Presidio  of  San  Francisco,  1925.  The  rows  of  dark-colored  buildings  along  the  bay  shore  were  barracks 

built  for  the  mobilization  of  troops  during  World  War  I.  The  cleared  space  at  the  bottom  of  the  photo 
would  soon  become  the  site  of  the  facilities  engineers'  building.  U.S.  Army,  Presidio  Army  Museum 


railroad,  was  extended  from  Fort  Mason  to  these  warehouses.21  Another  1917  warehouse 
(230),  west  of  the  general  hospital,  also  had  a  low-pitched  gable  roof,  horizontal  siding,  and 
a  loading  dock.  From  1906  on  an  electric  streetcar  line  terminated  on  Presidio  Boulevard  north 
of  East  Terrace.  At  the  turn-around,  a  concrete-walled  building  (558)  served  as  a  restaurant 
and  post  exchange  until  1945.  In  later  years  military  police  occupied  the  building  and  today 
it  is  used  by  nearby  Letterman  Army  Medical  Center.22 


21.  Mark  L.  Brack,  James  P.  Delgado,  c'  al,  Presidio  of  San  Francisco  National  Historic  Landmark  District,  Historic 
American  Building*  Survey/  Report  (San  Franc  -co:  National  Park  Service,  1985),  pp.  18-19.  Warehouses  1183  through 
1188  were  built  in  1917;  numbers  1161, 1162,  1163, 1167,  1169,  and  1170,  in  1919.  Warehouses  1186  and  1187  housed 
commissary  supplies. 

22.  John  Langellier,  notes,  Land  Records  of  the  Presidio  of  San  Francisco,  1850-1951,  RG  338,  NA,  San 
Francisco  Branch. 

100 


Advances  in  communications  resulted  in  the  construction  of  a  main  telephone  exchange  (67) 
in  1919.  The  concrete,  two-story  building  had  a  tiled,  hipped  roof.  Located  in  Tennessee 
Hollow  east  of  the  main  post  officers'  quarters,  the  building  acquired  a  one-story  addition  in 
1940.  The  Presidio  acquired  two  radio  stations  in  1921.  Located  on  Presidio  Hill,  the  wood 
frame  military  affiliated  radio  support  (MARS)  station  (314)  measured  26  feet  by  41  feet  and 
had  three  stories.  Its  construction  resulted  in  the  Presidio  being  in  a  communications  network 
that  extended  from  Washington,  D.C.,  to  Hawaii.  Immediately  next  to  it  stood  a  radio 
receiving  station  (312).  This  one-story  brick  building  measured  25  feet  by  26  feet. 

In  addition  to  its  regular  garrison,  Fort  Scott  acquired  a  balloon  company  in  1921.  These 
balloon  crews  assisted  the  coast  artillerymen  during  training  by  reporting  the  results  of  their 
fire  on  targets  being  towed  at  sea,  targets  otherwise  hidden  by  haze  or  fog.  The  balloon 
hangar,  hydrogen  generator  house,  and  a  field  for  maneuvering  the  winch  were  constructed 
in  the  southern  part  of  the  fort  near  the  Marine  Hospital  and  across  Lobos  Creek  from  21st 
Avenue.  The  balloon  did  not  remain  long  but  the  hangar  did,  to  the  dismay  of  the  residents 
of  the  Richmond  area  who  could  see  it  from  their  windows.23 

Additional  construction  at  both  the  Presidio  and  Fort  Scott  declined  considerably  in  the  1920s. 
The  Presidio's  strength  varied  from  1,000  to  2,000  during  those  years.  At  Fort  Scott  many  of 
the  coastal  batteries  had  become  obsolete  and  no  longer  mounted  guns,  and  the  number  of 
companies  assigned  to  the  post  declined.  But  the  fort  continued  to  be  the  headquarters  for 
the  harbor  defenses  of  San  Francisco,  and  from  1924  to  the  end  of  World  War  II  the  Sixth 
Coast  Artillery  Regiment's  headquarters  operated  from  Fort  Scott. 

Many  of  the  wood  frame  structures  in  East  and  West  Cantonments  began  falling  apart  in  the 
1920s.  Enlisted  labor  had  hastily  assembled  the  buildings  in  the  Spanish-American  War 
emergency  and  again  in  the  1903  construction  of  the  recruits'  Infantry  Cantonment.  Now,  the 
Army  began  a  systematic  program  of  surveying  the  worst  of  these  buildings  for  salvaging  or 
sale.  For  instance,  a  group  of  1898  company  kitchens  and  bathhouses,  that  had  been  converted 
to  noncommissioned  officers'  quarters  in  1915,  now  reached  the  end  of  their  existence.  By  the 
early  1930s  much  of  West  Cantonment,  particularly,  had  disappeared.  The  commanding 
officer  of  the  30th  Infantry  wrote  to  Ninth  Corps  Area  requesting  permission  to  destroy 


23.  Completion  Reports,  Quarters  for  Balloon  Company  and  Hangar,  1920  and  1921,  OQMG,  GCGF,  RG  92, 

NA. 

101 


"Igorrote  Village"  as  fast  as  possible.  Enlisted  men  had  built  these  quarters  out  of  salvaged 
material  and  they  were  now  unsanitary,  rotten,  and  unfit  for  animals.24 

As  late  as  1923  the  title  to  Rancho  de  Ojo  de  Agua  de  Figueroa  on  the  Presidio's  eastern 
boundary  still  lay  in  dispute.  Consequently,  the  Army  had  not  constructed  a  boundary  wall 
in  the  area  between  Vallejo  and  Green  streets.  Citizens  from  the  area  now  demanded  that  the 
military  build  a  wall  because  the  reservation's  soil  was  eroding  onto  Lyon  Street.  There  then 
developed  a  quarrel  as  to  who  should  pay  for  the  construction.  Two  years  passed  before  a 
compromise  resulted  in  the  Army  and  the  property  owners  sharing  in  the  costs.  They 
completed  a  concrete  retaining  wall  in  1926. 

Other  neighbors,  members  of  the  Marina  District  Improvement  Association,  demanded  in 
1926  that  the  Army  remove  a  certain  unsightly  corrugated  iron  warehouse  immediately  north 
and  west  of  their  properties.  The  army  replied  that  the  building  was  neat,  well-painted,  and 
less  than  two  years  old.  Army  engineers  used  the  building  as  a  warehouse  and  it  was 
absolutely  essential  to  their  mission.  The  War  Department  informed  Congresswoman  Florence 
Prag  Kahn  that  if  the  Improvement  Association  wished  to  plant  a  screen  of  trees  or  shrubs 
inside  the  reservation,  it  was  welcome  to  do  so.  While  the  proof  is  not  definite,  it  is  most 
probable  that  the  building  in  question  was  today's  Directorate  of  Engineering  and  Housing 
(283)  that,  as  was  earlier  noted,  stands  on  the  site  of  the  exposition's  Oregon  Building.  The 
date  of  its  construction  is  1925  or  1926.  Utilitarian  in  style,  having  a  low-pitched  gable  roof, 
it  retains  the  metal  siding  that  so  offended  its  neighbors  many  years  ago.  Also,  a  screen 
separates  it  from  the  Marina.26 

A  query  from  the  War  Department  in  1930  led  to  a  short  history  of  railroads  at  the  Presidio, 
other  than  the  Belt  Line  tracks.  On  April  7, 1881,  the  Presidio  issued  a  revocable  license  to  the 
Presidio  Railroad  Company  to  operate  a  line,  using  steam  "dummy"  locomotives  and  wooden 
passenger  cars,  reaching  a  depot  northeast  of  the  post  hospital  within  the  reservation.  On 
June  3,  1892,  the  Presidio  &  Ferries  Railroad  Company  (probably  a  reorganization  of  the 


24.  Various  correspondence  dated   1926-1933;  Col.  F.R.  Brown,  30th  Infantry,  September  13,   1928,  to 

commanding  general,  Ninth  Corps  Area,  all  in  Box  1984,  OQMG,  GCGF  1922-1935,  RG  92,  NA.  The  location  of 
Igorrote  Village  has  not  been  determined,  but  possibly  in  West  Cantonment.  Igorrate  was  a  mountain  tribe  in 
northern  Luzon,  Philippines. 

Lewis  E.  Mass,  secretary  to  Congressman  Julius  Kahn,  March  1,  1923,  to  QMG  and  associated  papers, 
OQMG,  GCGF  1922-1935,  RG  92,  NA.  At  that  time  a  survey  of  the  reservation  boundary  showed  that  fencing 
consisted  of  11,250  linear  feet  of  stone,  8,850  feet  of  wire,  and  2,700  feet  of  board. 

26.  Marina  District  Improvement  Association,  Petition  to  Congresswoman  Florence  Prag  Kahn,  n.d.:  and  Maj. 

Gen.  C.P.  Summerall,  Chief  of  Staff,  U.S.  Army,,  January  21,  1927,  to  Mrs.  Kahn,  both  in  OQMG,  GCGF  1922-1935, 
RG  92,  NA. 

102 


42.  Troops  parading  on  the  south  half  of  the  original  parade,  1925.  Officers'  row  on  the  left;  wood  frame 

barracks  on  the  right.  A  road  led  from  the  Alameda,  across  the  parade,  to  the  post  headquarters  (the  first 
two  barracks  next  to  the  flagstaff  that  had  served  as  division  headquarters  in  the  1880s).  U.S.  Army, 
Presidio  Army  Museum 


former  company)  acquired  a  license  for  operating  within  the  reservation  and  built  a  cable  car 
line  in  from  Greenwich  Street  to  a  depot  north  of  the  later  East  Terrace.  Also,  it  dismantled 
the  steam  railroad  and  its  tracks.  The  1906  earthquake  destroyed  the  cable  car  tracks, 
especially  east  of  the  Presidio,  and  the  Presidio  and  Ferries  Railroad  rebuilt  the  line  along  the 
same  Greenwich  Street  alignment  into  the  Presidio  as  an  electric  streetcar  or  trolley  line.  The 
Presidio  and  Ferries  Railroad  sold  its  line  to  the  newly  organized  San  Francisco  Municipal 
Railroad  in  1913,  which  continued  to  operate  the  streetcars  until  1945,  when  the  agency 
replaced  them  with  rubber-tired  trolley  buses.27 


27.  Col.  Fred  R.  Brown,  30th  Infantry,  January  31,  1930,  to  Ninth  Corps  Area,  OQMG,  GCGF  1922-1935, 

RG  92,  NA;  Gordon  Chappell,  Regional  Historian,  Western  Region,  NPS. 

103 


Although  it  had  been  at  the  Presidio  only  nine  years,  the  headquarters  of  the  Ninth  Corps 
Area  had  already  outgrown  the  office  space  in  the  large  concrete  barracks  (35).  In  1929  its 
adjutant  general  wrote  that  the  Engineer,  Ordnance,  Air  Corps,  and  Chemical  Warfare  staff 
officers  were  spread  out  in  temporary  wooden  buildings,  some  at  a  great  distance  from 
headquarters.  He  estimated  that  the  cost  of  constructing  a  three-story  extension,  41  feet  by 
85  feet  and  containing  9,500  square  feet  of  space,  at  $50,400.  He  said  that  the  general,  his  chief 
of  staff,  and  the  adjutant  general  (himself)  would  occupy  the  second  floor  of  this  extension. 
Contractors  built  the  addition  on  the  south  end  of  the  barracks  completing  the  work  in  1934. 
They  glassed  in  the  first  floor  porch  on  the  original  building  to  provide  more  office  space,  and 
removed  the  iron  balconies  from  the  third  floor.  Also,  the  commanding  general  had  a  small 
addition,  12  feet  by  20  feet,  of  hollow  tile  added  to  the  east  side  as  shelter  for  his  car.  Thus 
ended  the  not-so-roaring  '20's  at  the  Presidio  of  San  Francisco.28 


28.  Col.  Frank  C.  Burnett,  August  5,  1929,  to  the  Adjutant  General,  War  Department,  OQMG,  GCGF  1922- 

1935,  RG  92,  N A. 

104 


CHAPTER  6:  THE  THIRTIES  AND  THE  WAR,  1930-1945 


A.         A  Headquarters  Post 

Despite  the  grim  days  of  the  Great  Depression,  the  Presidio  of  San  Francisco 
experienced  significant  construction  during  the  1930s,  even  before  the  establishment  of  the 
Works  Progress  Administration  and  its  billions  of  dollars  in  1935.  Much  of  the  new 
construction  came  about  because  of  the  Presidio's  increasing  responsibilities  as  a  headquarters 
post.  Ninth  Corps  Area  continued  to  administer  military  establishments  in  the  western  states. 
On  October  1,  1933,  the  U.S.  Army  activated  the  headquarters  of  the  Fourth  Army  at  the 
Presidio  with  Maj.  Gen.  Johnson  Hagood  commander  of  both  major  commands.  Only  lightly 
staffed  in  the  beginning,  Fourth  Army  was  completely  integrated  with  Ninth  Corps  Area  in 
June  1936  and  remained  a  "paper"  army  until  the  fall  of  1940.  At  that  time  it  assumed 
command  of  army  forces  and  all  coast  artillery  units  along  the  West  Coast  from  the  Canadian 
to  the  Mexican  borders  without  regard  to  geographical  boundaries. 

Ninth  Corps  Area  headquarters  moved  to  Fort  Douglas,  Utah,  in  April  1942,  where  it  became 
the  Ninth  Service  Command  charged  with  servicing  and  supplying  all  Fourth  Army 
installations.  On  December  7,  1941,  the  Western  Defense  Command  came  into  being  at  the 
Presidio  as  planned  in  the  event  of  war.  It  consolidated  with  Fourth  Army,  both  under  the 
command  of  Lt.  Gen.  John  L.  De  Witt.1 

Additional  responsibilities  of  these  headquarters  included  the  construction,  administration, 
and  supply  of  the  Civilian  Conservation  Corps  (CCC)  camps  in  the  Ninth  Corps  Area 
beginning  on  April  5, 1933.  About  that  time,  too,  the  Presidio  hosted  a  West  Point  Preparatory 
School,  housed  in  the  old  cavalry  barracks  (682)  west  of  the  national  cemetery.2  The  30th 
Infantry  Regiment  continued  to  be  the  Presidio's  principal  combat  arm.  An  inspection  in  1941 


1.  The  Army  Almanac,  A  Book  of  Facts  Concerning  the  U    Yrf  States  Army  (Harrisburg,  PA:  Stackpole,  1959), 
p.  640;  Stewart  and  Erwin,  [History  of  the  Presidio],  pp.  71-73;  Anonymous,  "Organization  of  the  U.S.  Army  in 
California  and  the  West,"  typescript,  n.d.,  copy  in  Presidio  Army  Museum  Library.  In  1944  Fourth  Army 
transferred  to  Fort  Sam  Houston,  Texas.  While  at  San  Francisco  it  supervised  the  training  of  tactical  units,  e.g.,  the 
Seventh  Infantry  Division  at  Fort  Ord,  California.  Western  Defense  Command  became  a  theater  of  operations 
shortly  after  Pearl  Harbor  when  an  attack  on  the  U.S.  mainland  was  anticipated.  As  such  it  commanded  Fourth 
Army,  Ninth  Corps  Area,  and  the  Second  and  Fourth  Air  Forces.  Its  geographical  responsibilities  included 
California,  Oregon,  Washington,  Nevada,  Idaho,  Arizona,  Utah,  Montana,  and  Alaska. 

While  Fourth  Army  supplied  the  troops  for  the  1943  recapture  of  the  A  .utians  from  the  Japanese,  it  did 
not  direct  the  Aleutian  operations  as  stated  by  Stewart  and  Erwin,  p.  73.  Adm.  C  'ster  A.  Nimitz,  from  his 
headquarters  at  Pearl  Harbor,  commanded  all  World  War  II  operations  in  the  N;>rth,  ••  ntral,  and  South  Pacific. 

2.  Presidio  of  San  Francisco,  "Post  diary,"  entries  for  April  5,  and  July  24,  1933,  copy  in  the  Presidio  Army 
Museum. 

105 


noted  that  the  regiment  had  to  provide  the  daily  guard,  provide  military  police,  and  carry  out 
post  fatigue  and  kitchen  police,  leaving  only  fragmented  time  for  training.  Further,  when  it 
departed  periodically  for  field  training,  the  fire  department  became  undermanned.  The 
commanding  officer,  Lt.  Col.  George  Munteanu,  who  then  maintained  his  headquarters  in 
Crissy  Field's  old  administrative  building  (651)  promised  to  correct  these  matters.3 

In  1935  the  Army's  "Baedeker"  guide  book  described  the  Presidio.  It  listed  the  units  then 
assigned  to  the  post:  Air  Corps,  Detachment  of  Ninth  Corps  Area,  8th  Signal  Service 
Company,  30th  Infantry,  3d  Bakery  Company,  9th  Motor  Transport  Company,  49th  Motor 
Repair  Station,  School  for  Bakers  and  Cooks,  Finance  Department,  Medical  Department, 
Ordnance  Department,  Quartermaster  Department,  and  a  Recruiting  Station.  Although  the 
post  contained  thirty-four  sets  of  bachelor  officers'  quarters,  115  sets  of  quarters  for  married 
officers,  twenty-seven  sets  for  warrant  officers,  and  120  sets  for  married  noncommissioned 
officers,  still  forty-five  officers  and  noncommissioned  officers  lived  off  post  because  of  a  lack 
of  quarters.  It  also  noted  that  the  Presidio  had  a  polo  team  and  domestic  help  was  plentiful.4 

Back  in  August  1851,  the  Presidio's  monthly  post  returns  began  using  the  title  "Post  Return 
of  the  Presidio  of  San  Francisco,"  and  made  reference  to  General  Orders  34,  Headquarters  of 
the  Army,  June  25,  1851.  For  whatever  reason,  in  1938  the  War  Department  again  named  the 
post  the  Presidio  of  San  Francisco  -  General  Orders  3,  War  Department,  May  24,  1938,  "The 
military  reservation  situated  at  the  location  indicated  is  named  as  follows:  Presidio  of  San 
Francisco,  San  Francisco,  Calif." 

Europe  fought  the  opening  battles  of  World  War  II  in  1939.  In  the  United  States  the  Congress 
increased  appropriations  for  field  training.  At  the  Presidio,  Fourth  Army  conducted  its  first 
large-scale  command  post  exercise  for  the  training  of  700  officers  the  largest  number  ever 
for  the  West  Coast.  On  November  1, 1941,  Fourth  Army  organized  the  first  class  of  the  Fourth 
Army  Intelligence  School  in  an  old  Crissy  Field  hangar  (640),  half  classroom,  half  barracks. 
Fifty-eight  Nisei  (second  generation  Japanese  Americans)  and  two  Caucasians  comprised  the 
student  body.  Reflecting  on  the  growing  tensions  with  Japan,  Fourth  Army  intelligence 
officers  recognized  the  need  for  such  a  school  to  teach  Japanese-speaking  soldiers  military 
vocabularies  and  Japanese  writing.  The  four-man  teaching  staff  prepared  textbooks  on 
mimeograph  machines,  scrounged  orange  crates  for  chairs  and  carefully  spent  the  $2,000  the 
War  Department  authorized  for  the  venture.  The  fifty-five  graduates  from  that  first  class 


3.  Lt.  Col.  H.W.  James,  Ninth  Corps,  Annual  Inspection  of  the  Presidio  for  FY  1941,  OQMG,  GCGF,  1941, 
RG  92,  NA. 

4.  Charles  J.  Sullivan,  Army  Posts  and  Towns,  The  Baedeker  of  the  Army  (Burlington,  VT,  1935). 

106 


serving  in  the  Pacific  theater  soon  proved  their  worth  in  battle  as  interrogators,  interpreters, 
translators,  radio  announcers,  propaganda  writers,  and  cave  flushers.  In  1942  the  school 
moved  to  Minnesota,  and  when  it  closed  in  1946  it  counted  6,000  of  its  graduates  serving  in 
the  Armed  Forces.5 


B.          Construction 

The  demolition  of  the  older  structures  at  the  Presidio,  particularly  in  East  and  West 
Cantonments,  continued  unabated  through  the  1930s.  Major  improvements  began  in  1931  with 
the  construction  of  three  duplex  noncommissioned  officers'  quarters  (127,  128,  and  129)  on 
the  main  post  west  of  the  brick  barracks.  At  the  same  time  a  six-stall,  brick  auto  garage  (123), 
constructed  nearby,  served  these  quarters.  The  following  year  saw  the  completion  of  a 
handsome  post  chapel  (130)  on  a  knoll  east  of  the  national  cemetery.  Spanish  Colonial  Revival 
in  style,  with  a  tiled  roof,  the  building's  concrete  walls  were  finished  to  imitate  adobe  This 
two-story,  cruciform-shaped  chapel,  with  a  square  bell  tower  having  an  ornamental  star- 
shaped  window,  had  a  main  entrance  surrounded  by  an  elaborate  Plateresque  architrave.6 

In  1930  Congress  authorized  forty  sets  of  noncommissioned  officers'  quarters  for  both  the 
Presidio  and  Fort  Winfield  Scott  at  a  cost  of  $250,000.  Between  1932  and  1939  twenty-nine 
new  duplex  quarters,  numbered  in  the  700  series,  all  two-story,  brick  buildings,  occupied  the 
West  Cantonment  on  Liggett  Avenue  and  Portola  Street.  Fort  Scott  acquired  the  other  eleven 
(1289-1298)  in  1933.  In  contrast  to  West  Cantonment,  these  two-story,  duplex  quarters  had 
hollow-tile  walls  rather  than  brick.  The  construction  quartermaster  built  them  on  Ruckman 
and  Storey  avenues,  on  either  side  of  the  now  obsolete  Battery  Howe-Wagner.7 

At  the  main  post  the  south  half  of  the  original  parade  ground  west  of  the  wood-frame 
officers'  quarters  and  the  newer,  larger  parade  ground  east  of  the  brick  barracks  became  one 
through  consolidation  in  1934.8  A  different  kind  of  activity  occurred  in  1935  when  the  Golden 


5.  Ganoe,  History  of  the  U.S.  Army,  p.  515;  Stewart  and  Erwin,  [History  of  the  Presidio],  p.  72;  "The  MISLS 
[Military  Intelligence  Service  Language  School]  Album,  1946." 

6.  Pamphlet  "Chapels  of  the  Presidio,"  contributed  to  by  Linda  Jackowski  and  Sgt.  Jerry  D.  Mason.  This 
pamphlet  and  other  documents  credit  WPA  funds  for  the  chapel's  construction.  The  WPA,  however,  was  not 
established  until  1935.  With  the  completion  of  this  structure,  the  old  post  chapel  (45)  became  the  Catholic  place 
of  worship  and  was  named  Chapel  of  Our  Lady. 

7.  Col.  Fred  R.  Brown,  30th  Infantry,  April  22,  1930,  to  the  Adjutant  General,  War  Department,  OQMG, 
GCGF  1922-1935,  RG  92,  NA.  In  later  years  the  number  of  NCO  quarters  in  this  and  the  adjacent  800  area  tripled. 

8.  Maj.  Gen.  Malin  Craig,  Ninth  Corps  Area,  June  1, 1934,  to  the  Adjutant  General,  War  Department,  OQMG, 
GCGF  1922-1935,  RG  92,  NA. 

107 


Gate  Bridge  Authority,  in  rearranging  parts  of  the  Presidio  in  preparation  for  constructing  the 
bridge  approach,  built  three  small  magazines  or  "ammo  warehouses"  in  the  lower  Presidio 
(631-633).  The  windowless,  hollow-tile,  stuccoed  structures  possibly  held  small  arms 
ammunition  for  military  police  and  guards,  several  of  the  coastal  batteries'  magazines  in  this 
general  area  having  been  destroyed  by  bridge  construction.  Each  magazine  measured  20  feet 
by  24  feet.  By  1937  the  post  quartermaster,  not  the  cavalry,  claimed  the  five  brick  stables  (661, 
662,  663,  667,  and  668).  A  1936  completion  report  noted  the  construction  of  a  brick,  ten-ton, 
forced-draft  garbage  incinerator  (669)  in  the  vicinity  of  these  stables.  It  consumed  garbage  and 
refuse  from  the  Presidio,  Crissy  Field,  Fort  Scott,  Fort  Mason,  and  the  army  transports. 


C.          Works  Progress  Administration 

As  the  1930s  matured,  social  activities  received  an  impetus  with  the  construction  of 
two  facilities,  one  at  each  post.  A  rustic,  wood  frame  and  stone  noncommissioned  officers' 
club  (1299)  opened  its  doors  at  Fort  Scott  in  1937.  Built  not  with  WPA  funding,  the  building's 
walls  consisted  of  uncoursed  stone  and  logs.  Tree  trunks  served  as  columns  in  the  interior. 
The  decidedly  unmilitary  appearing  building  housed  an  officers'  club  in  the  1970s.  A  youth 
center  occupied  it  in  1981.  In  1990  it  stood  abandoned.  Over  at  the  Presidio,  at  the  southwest 
corner  of  the  newer  main  parade,  WPA  funds  allowed  for  the  construction  of  "the  War 
Department  Theater"  (99),  a  reinforced  concrete  structure  measuring  72  feet  wide  and  166  feet 
long.  In  May  1939  the  construction  quartermaster  put  in  a  requisition  for  seventy-two  plants 
for  landscaping  around  the  new  building.  This  Mediterranean  Revival  styled  theater  cost 
$171,000.  The  doors  opened  on  July  30, 1939,  and  the  feature  film  "I'm  From  Missouri"  played 
to  four  separate  audiences  that  day." 

WPA  funding  paid  for  other  Presidio  construction  in  1938-1940  including  road  improvement, 
utilities,  and  telephone  communications.  East  Cantonment's  appearance  took  a  turn  for  the 
better  with  the  completion  of  fifteen  duplex  officers'  quarters  (510-514  and  530-539)  for  both 
field  and  company  grades.  The  old  parade  ground  west  of  the  Civil  War  officers'  quarters 
shrank  with  the  completion  of  two  immense  250-man  barracks  (38  and  39)  built  at  a  cost  of 
$275,000  each.  Best  described  as  Mixed  or  Eclectic  in  style,  they  possessed  a  combination  of 
Mediterranean  Revival  with  overtones  of  castles  or  forts  in  the  overscaled  archway  entrances. 
Supposedly  built  to  relieve  the  overcrowding  in  the  barracks  of  the  30th  Infantry  and  other 
units,  one  of  the  barracks,  possibly  38,  found  itself  occupied  by  the  offices  of  the  newly 
activated  Fourth  Army.  Fort  Scott  also  shared  in  the  construction  activity  but  at  a  much 


9.  [No  signature],  May  18,   1938,  to  General  Seaman,  San  Francisco  District  Engineer,  OCE,  General 

Correspondence,  1927-1939,  RG  77,  NA. 

108 


43.  Noncommissioned  officers'  club  built  in  1937.  Located  at  Fort  Winfield  Scott,  it  served  all  NCOs  on  the 

military  reservation  in  the  late  1930s  and  1940s.  Later,  an  officers'  club,  then  a  youth  center.  E.  Thompson, 
1991 


44.  Noncommissioned  officers'  quarters,  built  in  the  1930s,  replaced  substandard  buildings  in  the  former 

West  Cantonment.  E.  Thompson,  1991 


109 


45.  Cooks  and   Bakers   School,  built   with   WPA   funds  in    1939.   Later,   it  became   the   Presidio's   post 

headquarters.  E.  Thompson,  1991 


46.  Barracks  38  on  the  original  parade  ground  was  constructed  in  1940  with  WPA  funds.  It  and  neighboring 

barracks  39  quickly  became  Fourth  Army  headquarters  as  World  War  II  approached.  Later  it  served  as 
Sixth  Army  headquarters.  E.  Thompson,  1991 


110 


reduced  scale.  Perhaps  the  most  significant  project  involved  widening  Lincoln  Boulevard  from 
ten  to  twenty-two  feet  and  the  widening  and  paving  of  interior  roads.10 

For  twenty  years  the  Presidio's  School  of  Bakers  and  Cooks,  the  senior  school  of  its  kind  west 
of  the  Rocky  Mountains,  had  moved  around  the  Presidio  to  wherever  adequate  quarters  could 
be  found.  At  one  time  it  occupied  buildings  in  East  Cantonment;  for  a  while  it  settled  in  the 
new  concrete  barracks  35.  Finally,  in  1934,  the  school's  assistant  commandant  wrote  that  the 
school,  the  3d  Bakery  Company,  and  the  post  bakery  staff  all  needed  a  permanent  building. 
(At  that  time,  the  school  occupied  quarters  at  Fort  Scott.)  A  year  later  planners  selected  a  site 
for  the  proposed  structure  on  the  west  side  of  Halleck  Street  opposite  the  post  bakery  (228). 
WPA  funds  became  available  and  in  1939  the  students  and  staff  moved  into  the  completed 
building  (220)  that  contained  kitchens,  classrooms,  and  barracks  —  later  it  would  serve  as  post 
headquarters.11 

The  same  contract  called  for  a  commissary  and  storehouse  building  in  the  lower  Presidio.  Its 
completion  report  described  the  structure  as  containing  a  storeroom,  office,  and  3,700  square 
feet  of  storage  space.  It  stood  on  H-section  steel  piles  about  forty  feet  long,  and  its  walls  of 
clay  tile  completed  the  reinforced  concrete  building.  Numbered  603  it  contained  a  photo  lab 
in  1990.12 

By  the  end  of  1940  WPA  funding  for  construction  at  San  Francisco  had  run  its  course.  The 
construction  quartermaster  totaled  the  figures  which  came  to  a  little  over  $800,000  for  the 
Presidio  and  Fort  Scott. 


D.         Civilian  Conservation  Corps  (CCC) 

In  addition  to  the  Ninth  Corps  headquarters  adding  staff  for  the  construction, 
administration,  and  supply  of  the  CCC  camps  in  the  western  states,  the  San  Francisco  General 
Depot  at  Fort  Mason  incurred  CCC  obligations  in  supplying  the  camps.  In  1935  and  1936  the 
construction  quartermaster  selected  a  site  in  the  lower  Presidio  for  the  construction  of  a  shed 


10  Col.  C.D.  Hartman,  San  Francisco  District  engineer,  July  1,  1938,  to  the  Construction  Quartermaster,  San 

Francisco  and  Vicinity;  and  William  Mooser,  Jr.,  Report  on  Progress  of  the  \vorks  Program  in  San  Francisco, 
January  1938,  both  in  OCE,  General  Correspondence  1927-1939,  RG  77,  NA.  The  stone  retaining  walls  along  Kobbe 
Avenue  and  elsewhere  in  Fort  Scott  probably  were  built  at  this  time  with  WPA  funds. 

11.  Maj.  Gen.  Malin  Craig,  June  1,  1934,  to  the  Adjutant  General,  War  Department,  OQMG,  GCGF  1922-1935, 
RG  92,  NA.  In  1935  the  school's  staff  and  students  amounted  to  sixty-nine  people. 

12.  Maj.  F.D.  Jones,  Construction  Quartermaster,  April  1,  1940,  Completion  Reports,  1917-1919,  Presidio, 
OQMG,  RG  92,  NA. 

Ill 


for  the  storage  of  vehicles  to  be  used  in  CCC  activities.  Measuring  54  feet  by  468  feet,  the 
shed  had  twenty-six  sets  of  double  doors  and  a  floor  of  crushed  rock.  Completed  in  March 
1936,  it  cost  $5,250.  Another  new  CCC  shed  stored  tent  poles.  Measuring  60  feet  by  255  feet 
and  having  no  floor,  it  too  was  completed  in  March.  A  third  structure  consisted  of  an 
addition  to  an  existing  storehouse.  This  one-story,  wood  frame  building,  measuring  20  feet 
by  216  feet,  had  a  six-inch  thick  concrete  floor  and  nineteen  double  hinged  doors.  Completed 
in  September  1935,  it  cost  less  than  $2,000.  It  stored  Signal  Corps  supplies  destined  for  the 
CCC  camps.  Still  another  wood  frame  storehouse,  measuring  74  feet  by  134  feet  with  an  eight- 
foot  wide  loading  platform  next  to  the  railroad  was  completed  in  October  1935  for  the  CCC 
at  a  cost  of  $8,000.  It  is  not  known  if  any  of  these  structures  served  to  house  the  12,133  steel 
cots  reported  to  be  sitting  in  the  rain.  None  of  these  buildings  is  known  to  exist  today. 
Although  CCC  companies  were  active  at  Forts  Baker  and  Barry  in  Marin  County  in  the  1930s, 
it  appears  that  none  carried  out  projects  at  the  Presidio,  where  WPA  activities  held  sway.13 


E.          Officers'  Club 

As  early  as  1931,  the  War  Department  and  the  Presidio  began  exchanging 
correspondence  concerning  the  "restoration"  of  the  officers'  club  (50).  By  then  the  160-foot- 
long  original  adobe  portion  had  been  sliced  in  two  and  a  wood  frame  ballroom  inserted  in 
the  middle,  the  front  of  which  extended  slightly  beyond  the  fronts  of  the  two  adobe  wings.14 

In  October  1931  the  War  Department  asked  several  questions  concerning  existing  architectural 
details  of  the  building.  Those  items  concerning  the  adobe  wings  are  presented  here;  but 
concerning  the  ballroom,  the  construction  quartermaster  wrote,  "The  work  of  reconstructing 
this  ballroom  was  done  some  years  ago  by  the  Post  QM  with  civilian  and  prison  labor.  The 
large  open  fireplace  was  not  properly  constructed;  it  smokes  and  cannot  be  used  as 
constructed." 

Concerning  the  floors  of  the  adobe  wings,  "it  appears  that  this  floor  must  have  been  rebuilt 
several  times..  .  the  floor  joists  are  3"  x  4"  placed  about  24"  on  centers,  resting  on  an  8"  x  8" 
brick  pier  at  each  end  .  .  .  some  [joists]  are  resting  on  earth  and  are  decayed.  . .  .  The  top  floor 
is  1"  x  6",  T&G  O.P.  flooring."  When  asked  about  the  roof  and  ceiling  over  the  adobes,  he  said 
that  the  roof  had  4"  x  4"  rafters  32"  on  centers,  shingle  lath  with  wooden  shingles,  and  over 


13.  Construction  Quartermaster,  Fort  Mason,  December  11,  1935,  and  March  25  and  May  5,  1936,  OQMG, 
Construction  Division,  Completion  Reports,  1917-1919  [sic],  RG  92,  NA. 

14.  Capt.  B.L.  Meeden,  "Army's  Finest  Club  Building  -  Restoration  of  the  Officers  Club  at  the  Presidio  of  San 
Francisco,"  The  Quartermaster  Review  (November  -  December  1934);  Donovan  P.  Yeuell,  "The  Presidio  Officers' 
Club,  The  Oldest  Adobe  Building  in  San  Francisco"  (August  1934).  Yeuell  was  a  captain  in  the  30th  Infantry. 

112 


them  green  strip  shingles.  The  ceiling  consisted  of  wooden  sheathing  and  beamed  into  panel 
effect  and  stippled.15 

The  same  officer  again  wrote  before  work  began  that  the  interiors  of  the  adobe  walls  had  been 
furred  out  and  sheathed  by  tongue  and  groove  sheathing;  a  blank  stock  of  felt  was  pasted 
over  that,  and  stippled  to  give  all  walls  a  uniform  effect.  He  said  that  a  two-inch  by  six-inch 
ridge  pole  stretched  over  each  adobe  wing  and  he  thought  that  the  roof  construction  may 
have  occurred  around  1880. 16 

Capt.  B.L.  Meeden,  who  carried  out  the  reconstruction  in  1933-1934,  described  the  building: 
the  adobe  walls  were  fourteen  feet  high  and  from  4/2  to  5  feet  thick;  no  original  roof 
remained,  but  indentures  in  the  adobe  showed  where  old  log  rafters  had  lain  (old  Spanish 
vigas  or  early  American  rafters?);  all  the  window  and  door  openings  were  original  but  the 
U.S.  Army  had  installed  the  doors  and  windows  [in  the  1850s?].  His  treatment  of  the  adobe 
walls  involved  dry-brushing  them  clean,  then  placing  a  false  wall  furred  out  about  four  inches 
from  their  face.  He  covered  that  with  metal  lath  and  plaster  which  was  given  a  "Spanish 
stucco"  finish.  This  construction  allowed  for  the  concealment  of  modern  conveniences  as  well 
as  protection  of  the  adobes.  He  left  a  small  opening  in  the  wall  in  the  west  wing  in  order  to 
display  a  section  of  the  adobe.17 

The  Army  dedicated  the  "new"  Presidio  Officers'  Open  Mess  on  August  17,1934.  An 
enthusiastic  30th  Infantry  officer  wrote  that  "the  old  building  .  .  .  sheltered  since  1846  officers 
of  all  the  branches  .  .  .  the  social  center  of  the  post  at  the  cross-roads  to  the  Orient,  Hawaii, 
the  Philippines,  Cuba,  Panama  and  Alaska."  The  restoration  of  the  old  adobe  building  brought 
out  its  true  beauty  as  "the  army's  most  historical  building."18 

Work  did  not  stop  at  that  point.  WPA  funds  allowed  for  additional  improvements  to  the 
structure  from  1936  to  1939,  although  none  of  these  seems  to  have  involved  the  adobe  walls 
or  their  new  roofs.  Other  elements  received  concrete  foundations,  new  window  frames,  tar 


15.  Construction  Quartermaster,  Fort  Mason,  November  7,  1931,  to  the  Quartermaster,  Ninth  Corps  Area, 
OQMG,  GCGF  1922-1935,  RG  92,  NA. 

16.  Capt.  H.B.  Nurse,  Fort  Mason,  March  8,1932,  to  QMG,  OQMG,  GCGF  1922-1935,  RG  92,  NA.  It  is 
apparent  that  substantial  remains  of  an  adobe  building  enclose  both  sides  and  one  end  each  of  the  DeAnza  and 
Mesa  Rooms  in  the  present  Officers'  Club. 

17.  Meeden,  "Army's  Finest  Building." 

18.  Yeuel,  "Presidio  Officers'  Club." 

113 


.PORTOU   I  ARCUELLO 
> 


LOWER  LEVEL 


UPPER  LEVEL 


NEW  BALLROOM 


47.  Presidio's  Officers'  Club,  1990.  the  DeAnza  and  LaMesa  rooms  on  either  side  of  the  center  section  have 

remnants  of  the  adobe  walls  from  the  Spanish /Mexican  era. 


114 


48.  Central  Reserve  Magazine  built  by  the  Golden  Gate  Bridge  &  Highway  District  for  the  U.S.  Army  when 

bridge  construction  destroyed  some  coastal  batteries  in  the  1930s.  E.  Thompson,  1991 


and  gravel  roofs,  awnings,  improved  officers'  latrine,  concrete  floor  in  a  storeroom,  a  patio, 
new  kitchen,  and  so  forth.  One  report  stated,  "The  changes  effected  ...  in  no  way  altered  the 
Spanish  effect  of  the  exterior  of  the  club.  All  exterior  work  .  .  .  was  made  to  conform  to  the 
old,  Spanish  architectural  motif  which  had  been  achieved  previously  when  this  building  was 
restored  to  its  original  appearance."  Such  was  the  state  of  preservation  and  restoration  in  the 
1930s.19 


19.  Lt.  Col.  J.F.  Byron,  August  4,  1938,  Completion  Report  for  Officers'  Club,  and  accompanying  papers, 

OQMG,  Completion  Reports  1917-1919,  RG  92,  NA. 

115 


F.  Golden  Gate  Bridge 

On  April  9,  1924,  the  San  Francisco  District  Engineer,  Col.  Herbert  Deakyne,  wrote 
Washington  that  the  San  Francisco  Board  of  Supervisors  had  requested  approval  of  plans  for 
a  bridge  across  the  Golden  Gate.  Deakyne  noted  that  Washington's  approval  was  necessary 
because  the  federal  government  owned  the  land  at  both  ends,  the  Presidio  and  Fort  Baker. 
In  December,  Secretary  of  War  John  W.  Weeks  issued  a  provisional  permit  authorizing  the 
newly-formed  Golden  Gate  Bridge  &  Highway  District  (GGB&HD)  to  proceed  with  the 
planning.  A  special  army  board  of  high-ranking  Engineer  officers  held  a  public  hearing  in  San 
Francisco  on  June  30,  1930.  Some  opposition  surfaced  and  raised  concerns  about  the  effects 
of  a  bridge  on  military  defense,  scenery,  and  earthquakes.  Nonetheless,  Deakyne 
recommended  approval  of  the  concept,  noting,  by  the  way,  that  cars  would  probably  cross 
the  bridge  at  fifteen  miles  per  hour.  Finally,  on  August  11,  1930,  the  War  Department 
grudgingly  issued  a  permit  for  GGB&HD  to  proceed  with  construction. 

Construction  officially  began  January  5,  1933,  and  those  concerned  celebrated  at  a  ground- 
breaking at  Crissy  Field  on  February  26,  "the  like  of  which  for  pageantry  and  enthusiastic 
support  of  the  citizenry  had  never  before  been  witnessed  in  the  bay  region."20  Since  the 
bridge  approaches  on  the  south  side  would  pass  through  the  Presidio  and  thus  affect  the 
coastal  fortifications  and  other  military  structures,  the  Army  required  GGB&HD  at  its  own 
expense  to  replace  features  it  destroyed  or  moved.  Secretary  Weeks  wrote  that  the  Army  must 
have  complete  control  of  the  bridge  in  time  of  war  and  that  government  traffic  must  be  free 
of  charge  at  all  times. 

The  bridge's  chief  engineer,  Joseph  B.  Strauss,  wrote  that  these  army  requirements  were  "a 
most  exacting  and  trying  phase  of  the  work,  and  for  the  same  reason  its  cost  was  an  item 
which  constantly  grew  larger."  The  district  found  itself  constructing  several  artillery  fire 
control  stations,  a  $125,000  Central  Reserve  Ammunition  Magazine  (1470  and  1471),  rifle 
range,  machine  shops,  drainage  and  sewer  systems,  and  gas  stations,  both  at  Fort  Scott  and 
lower  Presidio. 

The  bridge  approach  roads  destroyed  batteries  Lancaster  and  Slaughter,  both  disarmed  and 
considered  obsolete  although  their  underground  magazines  still  served  as  storerooms.  Strauss 
supervised  the  diversion  of  Lincoln  Boulevard  just  south  of  the  toll  plaza,  reconstructed  and 
depressed  a  portion  of  it,  and  constructed  an  overpass  for  the  bridge  approach  road  to 
connect  with  the  toll  plaza.  The  Presidio  road  work  alone  cost  $1,340,000.  Strauss  wrote,  "Set 
into  the  roadway  on  the  center  line  of  the  bridge  at  a  distance  of  180  feet  southward  from  the 


20.  Thompson,  Fortifications,  pp.  290-92. 

116 


south  abutment  is  a  starred  disk  of  bronze  marking  the  center  of  the  old  fire  control  station 
[battery  commander's  station]  at  Battery  Lancaster  which  once  occupied  this  site."  It  was  at 
this  station  that  Strauss  had  initiated  his  first  reconnaissance  for  the  bridge.21 


G.         World  War  II 

When  the  Japanese  attacked  Pearl  Harbor,  both  the  Presidio  and  Fort  Scott 
immediately  went  on  a  full  twenty-four-hour  alert  and  for  the  first  time  in  its  long  existence 
the  Presidio  closed  the  gates  to  the  public.  Soldiers  hastily  placed  barbed  wire,  machine  guns, 
and  antiaircraft  guns  on  the  Presidio  Golf  Course,  Baker  Beach,  old  Fort  Point,  and  other 
strategic  points  on  and  off  the  reservations.  A  few  weeks  later  a  quartermaster  colonel  visited 
the  Presidio  and  found  considerable  confusion  mixed  with  great  activity.  He  advised  the  War 
Department  that  the  lack  of  quartermaster  personnel  confounded  by  the  constant  shifting 
around  of  personnel  created  serious  problems.  The  Presidio  had  become  a  staging  area  and 
no  one  knew  from  day  to  day  what  units  would  arrive  or  depart.  The  post  had  to  be  geared 
to  run  a  twenty-four-hour  operation  for  the  rapid  issuance  of  food,  clothing,  bedding,  and  so 
forth.22 

Confusion,  perhaps,  but  not  unpreparedness.  For  over  a  year  the  Army  had  been  constructing 
cantonments  in  the  Presidio  for  a  rapid  expansion  in  strength  in  case  of  an  emergency.  These 
mobilization-type  structures  that  became  so  familiar  to  soldiers  nation-wide  in  World  War  II, 
sprang  up  in  five  locations:  Area  A,  on  the  bay  front  between  Marine  Drive  and  Mason  Street, 
east  of  Crissy  Field;  Area  B,  on  the  bay  front  between  Marine  Drive  and  Mason  Street,  west 
of  Crissy  Field;  Area  C,  between  Mason  Street  and  the  Golden  Gate  Bridge  Approach,  south 
of  Crissy  Field;  Area  D,  west  of  Halleck  Street  and  south  of  the  Golden  Gate  Bridge 
Approach;  and  Area  E,  north  of  Moraga  Avenue  and  east  of  Graham  Street.  Construction 
began  November  1,  1940,  and  the  cantonments  stood  completed  in  February  1941. 

Of  the  five,  only  two  remain  extant  -  B  and  E.  Areas  A  and  D  remained  intact  until  recent 
times  but  are  now  extinct.  A  motor  pool  that  replaced  Area  C  has  since  been  replaced  by  a 
commissary.  Area  A  consisted  of  ten  two-story,  63-man  barracks,  two  one-story  day  rooms, 


21.  Col.  Herbert  Deakyne,  April  9,  1924,  to  Chief  of  Engineers,  and  accompanying  papers,  OQMG,  GCGF 
1922-1935,  RG  92,  NA;  Joseph  B.  Strauss,  The  Golden  Gate  Bridge,  Report  of  the  Chief  Engineer  to  the  Board  of 
Directors  of  the  Golden  Gate  Bridge  and  Highway  District,  California  (San  Francisco,  1938),  pp.  31,39,48,51-52,  and 
58.  Strauss  also  had  to  build  overpasses  for  the  southern  approach  road  when  the  Park  Presidio  tunnel  opened 
to  bridge  traffic  on  April  21,  1940. 

22.  Stewart  and  Erwin,  [History  of  the  Presidio],  p.  71;  Col.  D.H,  Cowles,  January  19,1942,  to  QMG,  OQMG, 
GCGF  1935-1945,  RG  92,  NA. 

117 


a  one-story  administration  building,  post  exchange,  three  storehouses  (that  also  housed  the 
company  orderly  rooms),  and  two  250-man  mess  halls.  In  August  1941,  Area  A  increased  its 
capacity  with  the  addition  of  five  barracks,  two  storehouses,  a  day  room,  and  another  250- 
man  mess  hall. 

Area  B,  similar  in  appearance,  contained  ten  barracks,  two  day  rooms,  three  storehouses,  a 
post  exchange,  two  mess  halls,  and  a  warehouse.  Today  numbered  901  through  919,  they 
house  various  offices. 

Two  forty-man  bachelor  officers'  quarters  comprised  area  E.  Each  had  its  own  mess.  They  are 
extant  and  are  numbered  40  and  41. 23 

Also  built  on  the  eve  of  war,  an  administration  building  (37)  stood  immediately  west  of  Ninth 
Corps  Area  headquarters.  Constructed  in  the  shape  of  the  letter  E,  the  wood  frame  building 
possessed  a  Vernacular  or  Utilitarian  style.  Since  the  war  it  has  continued  to  house  offices. 

Lt.  Gen.  John  L.  DeWitt,  commanding  Fourth  Army  since  1939  and  the  Western  Defense 
Command  since  1941,  transferred  in  September  1943  to  become  commandant  of  the  Army  and 
Navy  Staff  College  in  Washington,  D.C.  His  departure  left  vacant  the  handsome  Quarters  1 
at  Fort  Mason  that  had  housed  commanding  generals  for  the  past  sixty-six  years.  His 
successor,  Lt.  Gen.  William  H.  Simpson,  became  the  first  occupant  of  a  new  general's  quarters, 
also  number  1,  in  the  former  East  Cantonment  at  the  Presidio.  The  residence,  commanding 
a  splendid  view  of  San  Francisco  Bay,  and  its  garage  (517)  were  both  erected  in  1943.24 

Also  built  during  the  war,  the  Red  Cross  building  (97)  stood  near  the  intersection  of  Moraga 
Avenue  and  Arguello  Boulevard  in  the  main  post  area.  Completed  in  1942  in  a  Spanish 
Mediterranean  Revival  style,  the  one-story,  tile-roofed,  stucco  building,  had  a  red  cross 
embedded  in  cement  on  all  four  sides  of  the  chimneys.  The  Red  Cross  financed  the  building, 


23.  Capt.  J.H.  Veal,  October  28  and  November  15,  1941,  Completion  Reports  on  Temporary  Housing  at 
Presidio,  Completion  Reports,  RG  77,  NA.  Two  long,  narrow  structures,  249  and  250,  remained  in  Area  A  in  1990. 
They  were  not  part  of  the  original  construction  and  appeared  to  be  fill-ins,  possibly  built  when  Letterman  General 
Hospital  took  over  Area  A  in  World  War  II.  Whether  or  not  they  contained  some  of  the  900  hospital  beds  in  Area 
A  is  unknown.  Three  other  former  barracks  from  the  1941  addition  to  Area  A,  273,  276,  and  277,  also  remained 
in  1990. 

24.  The  Army  Almanac,  pp.  37,78,199,  and  330;  Erwin  Thompson,  "Commanding  Generals  at  Fort  Mason," 
ms  (1979),  p.  68. 

118 


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while  the  construction  quartermaster  revised  its  plans  to  conform  with  other  buildings  in  the 
area  and  supervised  its  construction.25 

When  the  Army  gave  the  Palace  of  Fine  Arts  to  the  City  of  San  Francisco  in  1927,  the  military 
stipulated  in  the  agreement  that  it  could  reoccupy  the  building  in  the  event  of  war.  And  so 
it  came  to  be.  The  Palace  became  an  army  warehouse  during  World  War  II  and  helped  ease 
the  severe  overcrowding  in  storage  facilities  for  the  San  Francisco  Port  of  Embarkation.26 

As  the  tempo  of  the  world  war  increased,  Fort  Winfield  Scott,  languishing  in  the  decades 
following  World  War  I,  sprang  into  high  gear  as  the  headquarters  of  the  coastal  defenses  of 
San  Francisco  in  1941.  Among  the  first  of  the  new  buildings  were  the  mobilization-type 
structures  erected  east  of  the  parade:  administration  building  (1239);  post  exchange  warehouse 
(1241);  and  three  quartermaster  storehouses  (1242,  1243,  and  1244).  North  of  the  parade 
ground  three  structures  added  to  the  amenities  of  the  post,  all  wood  frame:  theater  (1387) 
which  was  later  converted  to  a  bowling  alley,  chapel  (1389),  and  a  small  building  (1390)  said 
to  have  been  a  nursery  but  which  may  have  had  an  earlier  function.  To  the  west  of  the 
parade,  the  Army  built  an  indoor  shooting  range  (1369)  in  1941,  as  well  as  a  radio  station 
(1444)  in  the  vicinity  of  the  abandoned  mortar  batteries  McKinnon-Stotsenberg.  The  year  1942 
saw  at  least  two  other  structures  added  to  the  post:  a  post  office  (1237)  south  of  the  parade 
ground,  and  a  small  post  exchange  storehouse  (1225)  in  the  warehouse  area. 

Perhaps  the  most  imposing  wartime  building  at  Fort  Scott,  a  1943  general  officer's  residence 
(1332)  stood  splendidly  isolated  on  its  own  road,  Wright  Loop,  south  of  officers'  row.  Fort 
Scott,  however,  was  nearing  the  end  of  its  role  as  a  coast  defense  post  as  World  War  II  came 
to  an  end.  Atomic  weapons,  missiles,  and  highly  developed  techniques  in  amphibious 
landings  made  the  traditional  concepts  of  defending  harbors  obsolete.  Soon  Fort  Scott's 
facilities  would  become  part  of  the  Presidio  of  San  Francisco. 


25.  Public  Relations  Section,  Ninth  Zone  Construction  Quartermaster,  San  Francisco,  Press  Release,  "New  Red 

Cross  Headquarters,"  October  27,  1941. 

2b.  San  Francisco  Examiner,  January  23,  1949. 

120 


/  If  2 


50.  San  Francisco  from  the  air,  possibly  1945.  Fort  Winfield  Scott  in  foreground.  Cleared  area  in  middle  left 

had  been  the  runway  for  Crissy  Field.  The  long  dark  lines  are  hospital  trains  for  Letterman  General 
Hospital  (this  activity  was  at  its  height  in  1944-1945).  San  Francisco  Public  Library 


121 


CHAPTER  7:  THE  PRESIDIO  1945-1990 


A.         Sixth  U.S.  Army 

A  genuine  war  hero,  Gen.  Joseph  W.  "Vinegar  Joe"  Stilwell  became  commander  of  the 
Western  Defense  Command  in  December  1945.  When  that  wartime  organization  was 
deactivated  on  January  28,  1946,  Stilwell  remained  at  the  Presidio  and  on  March  8,  1946, 
assumed  command  of  the  Sixth  U.S.  Army  with  his  headquarters  in  the  former  barracks  (38) 
and  his  residence  in  Presidio  Quarters  1.  His  term  as  commanding  general  ended  with  his 
death  at  Letterman  General  Hospital  on  October  12,  1946.1 

Sixth  U.S.  Army,  actually  a  tenant  at  the  Presidio,  provided  defense  for  the  western  states  of 
Washington,  Oregon,  Idaho,  Montana,  North  and  South  Dakota,  Wyoming,  Colorado,  Utah, 
Nevada,  California,  and  Arizona.  Three  additional  states  came  under  its  command  later: 
Nebraska,  Kansas,  and  New  Mexico.2 

While  World  War  II  still  waged,  forty-six  nations  met  at  the  Conference  at  San  Francisco  to 
draft  the  charter  of  the  United  Nations  Organization  from  April  to  June  1945.  When  President 
Harry  S.  Truman  offered  the  Presidio  of  San  Francisco  as  a  site  for  the  United  Nations 
headquarters,  a  UN  committee  inspected  the  Presidio  on  November  23,  1946.  But  the  Soviet 
Union's  strong  objection  to  the  headquarters  being  anywhere  on  the  West  Coast,  combined 
with  Nelson  Rockefeller's  offer  to  donate  land  in  New  York  City,  ended  that  idea. 

Real  estate  speculators  and  others  campaigned  at  this  time  and  for  years  to  come  for  the 
Army  to  abandon  the  Presidio  so  that  the  area  could  be  developed.  Throughout  1947  local 
newspapers  carried  an  on-going  debate  whether  the  Presidio  should  be  developed  for  housing 
or  preserved  as  a  national  monument.  In  1948  the  San  Francisco  Chronicle  announced  a  plan 
for  developers  to  fill  320  acres  in  front  of  the  lower  Presidio  from  Fort  Point  to  the  Yacht  Club 
and  to  construct  12,000  apartments  there.  The  mayor  supported  the  concept;  the  Army,  of 
course,  opposed  it.3  By  the  1950s  both  leading  papers  dropped  the  name  "Presidio  of  San 
Francisco"  and  began  referring  to  the  area  as  "Idle  Acres."  During  the  Eisenhower 


1.  General  Stilwell,  an  expert  on  Chinese  military  affairs,  spent  much  of  World  War  II  in  the  China-Burma- 
India  theater  and  for  a  time  served  as  chief  of  staff  to  Generalissimo  Chiang  Kai-shek.  The  barracks  at  Crissy  Field 
was  named  in  his  honor  in  1947.  The  Sixth  Army  fought  throughout  the  South  and  Central  Pacific  in  World  War 
II.  Deactivated  in  Japan  on  January  28,  1946,  it  became  reactivated  at  the  Presidio  on  March  1,  1946.  PSF,  Post 
Diary,  1919-1948,  and  Post  Diary  1946-1953;  Webster  s  American  Military  Biographies,  pp.  413-414. 

2.  Unofficial  Guide,  Presidio  of  San  Francisco  (1975),  p.  14. 

3.  San  Francisco  Chronicle,  December  5,  1948. 

123 


administration,  in  1955,  the  Hoover  Commission  recommended  that  the  Defense  Department 
consider  disposing  of  the  Presidio.  The  Army  sprang  into  action  saying  that  the  reservation 
was  essential  to  national  defense.  Newly  retired  Korean  War  hero,  Gen.  William  F.  Dean,  gave 
public  speeches  in  the  Bay  Area  favoring  the  Army's  retention.  A  colonel  prepared  a 
document  showing  how  much  money  the  Presidio  poured  into  the  local  economy  and  how 
much  it  would  cost  taxpayers  to  move  Sixth  Army  elsewhere.  Also,  he  said  with  a  straight 
face,  when  the  old  coastal  casemates  were  renovated,  "this  station  will  have  facilities  to 
protect  installations  against  thermonuclear  attack  without  parallel  in  the  United  States."4  Lt. 
Gen.  Robert  N.  Young,  commanding,  wrote  the  Secretary  of  the  Army  listing  the  reasons  why 
the  Army  should  remain: 

NIKE  battery  on  the  Presidio. 

National  Guard  had  an  antiaircraft  battery  on  the  site. 

Headquarters  for  two  antiaircraft  battalions. 

Presidio  support  for  all  NIKE  installations  in  Bay  Area. 

Headquarters,  Sixth  Army. 

Communications  facilities. 

Nineteen  Army  Reserve  units  trained  at  the  Presidio. 

A  citizen,  concerned  about  the  Presidio's  fate,  wrote,  "The  Presidio  is  to  the  West  what  Fort 
Ethan  Allen  and  Yorktown  are  to  the  East,  the  Alamo  to  the  Southwest,  and  Mount  Vernon 
to  the  Nation."5 

In  1958  the  Presidio's  mission  increased  with  the  creation  of  the  XV  U.S.  Army  Corps.  This 
headquarters  assumed  responsibility  for  all  Army  Reserve  activities  in  California,  Arizona, 
and  Nevada.  To  emphasize  its  own  importance  the  Presidio  issued  a  "Fact  Sheet"  in  1961 
stating  that  the  number  of  personnel,  military  and  civilian,  employed  on  the  post  amounted 
to  almost  10,000.  Sixth  Army  trained  ROTC  units,  the  National  Defense  Cadet  Corps,  and 
National  Guard  and  Army  Reserve  units  throughout  nine  western  states.  Letterman  General 
Hospital  had  grown  to  include  a  Radioactive  Isotope  Center  and  an  Open- Heart  Surgery 
Center.6 

The  Army's  efforts  began  to  pay  off  by  1962  when  a  group  of  citizens  formed  to  save  the 
Presidio.  San  Francisco's  mayor  now  favored  the  Army's  remaining.  The  gathering 


4.  Col.  C.E.  Lundquist,  PSF,  April  14,  1955,  to  CG,  Sixth  Army,  PSF  Lands,  RG  338,  NA-San  Francisco 
Branch. 

5.  Lt.  Gen.  Robi.t  N.  Young,  January  4,  1957,  to  Secretary  Wilbur  M.  Buckner;  William  Keese,  October  3, 
1961,  to  Secretary  of  Deu  nse  Robert  S.  McNamara,  PSF  Lands,  RG  338,  NA-San  Francisco  Branch. 

6.  PSF,  "Fact  Sheet,"  September  29,  1961.  Copy  in  Presidio  Army  Museum. 

124 


momentum  of  these  efforts  paid  dividends  early  in  1963  when  Lawrence  C.  Merriam,  Western 
Regional  Director,  National  Park  Service,  presented  a  certificate  and  plaque  to  the 
commanding  officer  designating  the  Presidio  a  national  historic  landmark.  Secretary  of  the 
Army  Stephen  Ailes  along  with  2,000  others  attended  the  ceremony  and  announced  that  the 
Presidio  would  remain  a  part  of  the  Army.7 

A  1966  information  brochure  published  for  the  benefit  of  newcomers  identified  the  locations 
of  the  various  headquarters  in  the  Presidio: 

Sixth  Army,  in  barracks  38  and  39. 

Letterman  General  Hospital,  in  administration  1016. 

XV  U.S.  Army  Corps,  in  Stilwell  Hall  650. 

6th  Region,  U.S.  Army  Air  Defense  Command,  at  Fort  Baker. 

U.S.  Garrison  (post  headquarters),  in  building  220. 

40th  Artillery  Brigade,  Air  Defense,  in  administration  1201,  Fort  Scott. 

It  also  noted  that  three  officers'  clubs  operated  on  the  reservation:  Presidio,  Letterman,  and 
Fort  Scott.8 

In  1973,  apart  from  Sixth  Army  headquarters,  the  Presidio  itself  became  a  part  of  a  network 
of  combat-ready  army  installations  under  the  newly  established  U.S.  Forces  Command, 
headquartered  at  Fort  McPherson,  Atlanta,  Georgia.  The  Presidio's  tenants  in  the  mid-1970s 
included: 

525th  Military  Intelligence  Group 

Sixth  Region,  U.S.A.  Criminal  Investigation  Command 

Headquarters,  U.S.A.  Sixth  Recruiting  District 

San  Francisco  U.S.  Army  Reserve  Center 

Golden  Gate  U.S.  Army  Reserve  Center 

American  Red  Cross 

U.S.  Coast  Guard  Station 

San  Francisco  National  Cemetery 

Letterman  Army  Medical  Center9 


Office  of  the  Information  Officer,  Sixth  Army,  press  release,  February  25,  1963,  PSF  Lands,  RG  338,  NA- 
San  Francisco  Branch.  An  excellent  collection  of  documents  concerning  the  disputes  over  Presidio  lands  is  found 
in  "Content  Analysis  of  News  Clippings  Pertaining  to  Presidio  Lands,  April  1870  to  January  1966,"  is  in  File  R-3, 
Master  Plans,  DEH,  PSF. 

8.  PSF,  "Information  Brochure,"  1966.  Copy  in  Presidio  Museum. 

9.  Langellier,  "Under  Three  Flags,"  p.  10;  Unofficial  Guide,  Presidio  of  San  Francisco  (1975),  p.  14. 

125 


In  addition  to  tenants,  the  Presidio  issued  leases,  licenses,  permits,  and  so  forth  to  non-army- 
entities  within  or  encroaching  on  the  reservation.  They  included:  Julius  Kahn  Playground, 
public  telephone,  credit  union,  seismograph  installation,  U.S.  Department  of  Agriculture,  City 
of  San  Francisco,  Pacific  Bell,  National  Recreation  Trail,  Boy  Scouts,  Eisenhower  National 
Bank,  Burger  King,  Fort  Point  and  Army  Museum  Association,  and  American  Battle 
Monuments  Commission.10 

In  October  1972  President  Richard  M.  Nixon  signed  a  law  that  established  Golden  Gate 
National  Recreation  Area  in  California.  This  law  directed  the  Army  to  issue  an  irrevocable 
permit  to  the  National  Park  Service  for  land  along  the  Presidio's  bay  and  ocean  fronts  to 
include  portions  of  Crissy  Field,  the  coastal  defense  batteries,  and  Baker  Beach.  The  law  also 
stated  that  when  the  Department  of  Defense  determined  that  Presidio  lands  were  determined 
to  be  excess  to  its  needs,  such  lands  would  be  transferred  to  the  Department  of  the  Interior 
for  national  park  purposes.11 


B.          Construction 

In  1948  the  Army  received  authorization  to  build  duplex  officers'  quarters  for  eighty 
families  on  Presidio  Hill  above  Infantry  Terrace.  Twenty-three  buildings  (between  numbers 
401  and  434)  were  erected  along  Washington  Boulevard.  Also  at  this  time  a  congressional 
committee  visited  army  and  navy  installations  in  the  Bay  Area  noting  the  great  difference  in 
World  War  II  construction  between  the  two  services.  "All  of  us  were  struck  sharply  by  the 
marked  differences  in  appearance  of  the  Army  and  Navy  installations.  We  discovered  that 
most  Navy  installations  in  this  area  are  permanent  installations  with  expensive  concrete 
buildings  and  steel  framework.  On  the  other  hand,  practically  without  exception,  the  Army 
installations  contained  temporary  structures,  most  of  them  apparently  built  during  the 
war.  .  .  .  We  believe  this  matter  needs  to  be  looked  into."  What,  if  anything,  became  of  these 
observations  remains  unknown.12 

Despite  the  new  officers'  quarters,  the  Presidio  continued  to  experience  a  housing  shortage. 
In  1948  it  learned  that  the  federal  government  had  developed  a  program  (the  Wherry  Act) 
whereby  private  enterprise  could  lease  government-owned  land  and  construct  housing 
thereon  to  rent  to  military  personnel.  The  Presidio  then  leased  thirty-eight  acres  near  the 


10.  Files,  Real  Estate  Office,  Master  Plans,  DEH,  PSF. 

11.  Public  Law  92-589. 

12.  Report  of  the  Subcommittee  on  Procurement  and  Supply  of  the  Committee  on  Armed  Services  in  the  Bay 
Area,  September  15-19,  1947,  OQMG,  GCGF  1946-48,  RG  92,  NA. 

126 


southwest  corner  of  the  reservation,  free  of  cost,  to  the  George  Bauer  Company  of  Portland, 
Oregon.  The  company  constructed  500  housing  units  on  the  site,  completing  them  in  1953. 
A  1959  report  noted  that  the  units  had  either  two  or  three  bedrooms.  A  junior  field  grade 
officer  (i.e.,  a  major)  was  allotted  776  square  feet;  company  grade  officer,  707  square  feet;  and 
noncommissioned  officers,  700  square  feet.  Of  the  500  units  personnel  from  the  Presidio 
occupied  259  of  them;  the  U.S.  Army  Transportation  Terminal  Command,  30  units;  Letterman 
General  Hospital,  78;  and  the  U.S.  Navy,  133.  Before  long  the  military  concluded  that  the 
quarters  lacked  sufficient  floor  space  and  that  the  quality  of  construction  was  poor. 

In  1959  the  Department  of  the  Army  alerted  Sixth  Army  that  Congress  was  now  interested 
in  the  Army's  purchasing  the  Wherry  project.  Alarmed  about  having  to  acquire  the 
substandard  housing,  the  Presidio  responded  saying  that  it  did  not  wish  to  acquire  the 
housing,  because  it  would  have  to  increase  the  rents.  Washington  kept  the  pressure  on.  Still, 
as  late  as  1961,  the  Presidio  argued  that  the  units  were  too  crowded;  rehabilitation  costs 
would  be  expensive;  both  bedrooms  and  storage  areas  were  too  small;  the  kitchens,  crowded; 
no  soundproofing;  utilities,  undersized;  and  major  rewiring  needed.  In  November  1962  the 
post  commander  learned  that  the  Army  would  purchase  the  Wherry  housing.  He 
recommended  assigning  it  to  enlisted  personnel  only. 

If  their  quarters  were  not  always  elegant,  the  Presidio's  enlisted  personnel  enjoyed  the 
services  of  a  new  club.  Conceived  by  General  Stilwell  in  1946  and  dedicated  by  Gen.  Mark 
Clark  the  large,  first-class  service  club  (135),  built  at  the  main  post  with  nonappropriated 
funds,  opened  its  doors  in  1949.  But  by  1964  the  number  of  noncommissioned  officers 
exceeded  the  number  of  privates  on  the  post,  and  the  commander  decided  that  the  service 
club  should  become  an  NCO's  open  mess,  and  the  privates  were  shunted  off  to  the  NCO's 
old  stone-and-log  club  (1299)  at  Fort  Scott.  During  the  Korean  War  several  important  events 
occurred  in  building  135,  still  fresh  from  the  carpenter's  hammer.  On  September  1,  1951, 
representatives  of  the  United  States,  New  Zealand,  and  Australia  met  there  to  sign  a  Tripartite 
Security  Treaty  (the  ANZUS  pact)  that  provided  for  mutual  assistance  in  matters  of  defense. 
A  week  later  forty-nine  nations  met  with  Japan  at  the  War  Memorial  Opera  House  to  sign  the 
difinitive  Treaty  of  Peace  ending  World  War  II.  That  same  day  U.S.  delegates  met  with 
Japanese  delegates  in  the  service  club  to  sign  a  joint  security  pact,  in  effect  an  alliance 
between  the  two  nations  that  so  recently  had  been  enemies.  In  1953  senior  officers  of  the 
Chinese  Nationalist  Army  held  a  press  conference  in  the  building.  Later  that  year,  near  the 


13.  Department  of  the  Army,  August  4,  1958,  to  CG,  Sixth  Army;  Commanding  officer,  PSF,  November  13, 

1962,  to  CG,  Sixth  Army,  both  in  File  P-4,  Master  Plans,  DEH,  PSF;  San  Francisco  Examiner,  January  22,  1952. 

127 


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52.  Wheery  Housing,  500  units,  completed  in  1953.  Map,  Presidio  of  San  Francisco,  1987 


129 


end  of  the  Korean  War,  the  first  of  the  returning  American  prisoners  of  war  came  here  to 
meet  their  relatives  or  to  prepare  for  the  journey  home.14 

In  1950  the  Army  completed  another  construction  project  involving  an  enlisted  man,  the  U.S. 
Army  Reserve  Center  at  former  Crissy  Field  (649  and  644).  At  that  time  the  Army  named  new 
reserve  centers  for  enlisted  men  rather  than  for  officers.  In  this  case  "Harmon  Hall  USAR 
Center"  honored  Sgt.  Roy  W.  Harmon,  killed  in  action  in  Italy  in  1944.  Harmon,  assigned  to 
the  Ninety-first  Infantry  Division,  was  a  native  Californian.  In  July  enemy  machine  gun  fire 
near  Casaglia  stopped  the  advance  of  his  company.  Ordered  to  neutralize  the  enemy  fire, 
Harmon  led  his  squad  forward.  When  it  became  pinned  down,  he  alone  mounted  an  assault, 
destroying  three  enemy  machine  guns  in  quick  succession.  Although  wounded  twice,  he 
destroyed  the  third  gun  just  as  he  fell  dead.  The  U.S.  Congress  awarded  the  Medal  of  Honor, 
posthumously.  (It  is  probable  that  Sergeant  Harmon  served  at  the  Presidio  earlier  in  his  army 
career.)15 

Other  events  concerning  the  Presidio's  structures  in  the  1950s  included  a  disastrous  fire  at 
Fort  Scott  that  occurred  in  May  1951.  It  started  in  officers'  quarters  1290.  Mrs.  Ellis  Burns  and 
her  oldest  child  went  to  the  hospital  with  serious  burns,  but  both  her  younger  children  died 
in  the  blaze.  Two  months  later  the  Presidio  erected  a  new,  105-foot  flagstaff  on  the  site  of 
General  Pershing's  house  that  had  burned  so  tragically  many  years  before.  It  was  said  to  be 
the  tallest  flag  pole  in  the  Bay  area.  In  1952  the  Presidio  caused  a  controversy  by  erecting  a 
metal  mesh  fence  on  the  top  of  the  stone  wall  along  Lyon  Street.  It  ran  for  three  blocks  in  the 
vicinity  of  Greenwich,  Union,  and  Filbert  streets.  When  the  neighbors  protested,  the  Army 
announced  it  was  necessary  because  of  new  national  security  matters  that  could  not  be 
discussed.  Many  people  thought  that  the  real  reason  was  protection  for  Lt.  Gen.  Joseph  M. 
Swing's  quarters  that  stood  near  the  reservation  boundary.16  The  fence  remained. 

The  Chapel  of  Our  Lady,  the  Presidio's  first  chapel  (45),  underwent  a  thorough  renovation 
in  1952.  Workmen  enlarged  the  building,  added  a  wing,  and  replaced  the  west  and  south 
walls  with  glass.  The  chapel  acquired  another  addition  of  964  square  feet  in  1970.  The  little 
building,  that  measured  twenty-four  feet  by  forty-five  feet  during  the  Civil  War,  now 


14.  File  N-2,  Master  Plans,  DEH,  PSF.  During  the  Korean  War  most  troops  rotated  by  ship,  not  air. 

15.  U.S.  Senate,  90th  Cong.,  2d  sess.,  Medal  of  honor,  1863-1968,  "In  the  Name  of  the  Congress  of  the  United  States: 
(Washington:  U.S.  Government  Printing  Office,  1968),  pp.  574-575. 

16.  PSF,  Post  Diary,  1946-1953;  San  Francisco  Call-Bulletin,  January  18,  1952;  San  Francisco  Examiner,  January 
18  and  21,  1952;  San  Francisco  Chronicle,  January  23,  1952.  Still  another  fire  destroyed  eight  units  of  the  Wherry 
housing  on  March  17,  1953.  And  in  February  1973  fire  destroyed  the  post  headquarters  building  (200). 

130 


contained  a  narthea,  nave,  baptistery,  side  aisles,  sanctuary,  Blessed  Sacrament  altar,  sacristy 
altar  boy  room,  confessionals,  choir  room,  and  utility  rooms.17 

Until  1956  the  Presidio  Golf  Club  just  outside  the  reservation  maintained  control  over  the 
Presidio  Golf  Course  which  lay  on  federal  property.  In  1925  an  army  inspector  general 
discovered  this  arrangement  and  soon  thereafter  the  Secretary  of  War  directed  the  Presidio's 
commanding  officer  to  regain  control  of  the  course,  to  organize  an  army  club,  and  to  permit 
such  civilian  membership  as  he  deemed  appropriate.  Writing  in  1956,  Lt.  Gen.  Robert  N. 
Young,  Sixth  Army,  said,  "So  far  as  I  can  tell,  this  directive  has  never  been  complied  with. 
The  civilian  membership  feel  that  they  have  a  vested  right  to  the  golf  course  even  though  it 
is  on  a  military  reservation." 

General  Young  had  a  solution.  The  civilian  club  had  recently  approached  him  saying  that  the 
golf  course  badly  needed  an  automatic  watering  system  and  asked  him  if  he  would  use 
welfare  funds  to  install  such  as  the  club  could  not  afford  to  do  so.  Young  replied  that  he 
could  not  use  welfare  funds  because  the  military  did  not  control  the  operation.  After  thinking 
it  over,  the  civilian  club  agreed  that  the  Army  should  take  over  the  course  and  control  its 
upkeep,  maintenance,  and  management.18 

Still  another  complex  of  officers'  quarters,  the  1400  series,  came  into  being  in  the  late  1960s. 
Quarters  1401-1425,  south  of  Battery  McKinnon-Stotsenberg  and  built  in  1966,  appear  to  have 
housed  officers  of  the  regular  garrison.  The  nearby  1431-1443  group,  built  in  1969,  possibly 
were  associated  with  the  NIKE  battery  in  the  area. 

New  construction  at  the  Presidio  in  the  1970s  included  an  automatic  data  processing  center 
(34)  adjacent  to  the  main  parade  ground.  Completed  in  1967  it  contained  32,000  square  feet. 
A  large  addition  to  the  Presidio  officers'  club,  completed  in  1973,  cost  $1.25  million.  It 
contained  a  banquet-ballroom  with  a  stage  and  other  rooms.  On  July  4,  1974,  Wright  Army 
Hospital  (2),  which  in  recent  years  had  served  as  a  dental  clinic  and  a  drug  rehabilitation 
center,  was  dedicated  as  the  Presidio  Army  Museum,  which  had  opened  its  doors  to  visitors 
in  March  1974.  A  collection  of  thirty-two  sets  of  officers'  quarters  (1211-1280),  built  in  1970 
at  Fort  Scott,  crowded  the  area  between  the  Golden  Gate  Bridge  approach  road  and  the 
former  officers'  quarters  of  Crissy  Field.  Also  in  this  decade  the  Army  commenced 


17.  Milton  B.  Halsey,  Jr.,  "Point  Paper,  The  Presidio  Chapels"  (ca.  1990);  File  C-4,  Master  Plans,  DEH,  PSF. 

18.  Lt.  Gen.  Robert  N.  Young,  January  29, 1956,  to  Lt.  Gen.  Laurin  L.  Williams,  Comptroller  of  the  Army,  PSF 
Lands,  RG  338,  NA-San  Francisco  Branch.  At  the  time  of  the  base  closure  announcement,  the  Army  had  plans  to 
build  its  own  clubhouse  on  the  Presidio. 

131 


demolishing  the  World  War  II  buildings  in  Area  A.  in  the  eastern  part  of  the  lower  Presidio 
(the  Army  transferred  several  of  these  wood  frame  structures  to  the  National  Park  Service  in 
1976-1977).19 

In  1980  the  Army  learned  that  the  brick  barracks  101-105  did  not  meet  the  minimum  seismic 
standards  for  billets,  but  that  they  did  meet  them  for  administrative  purposes.  At  that  time 
the  Presidio's  Headquarters  Company  occupied  buildings  101  and  105  (male  soldiers)  and  104 
(female  soldiers).  These  people  began  the  move  from  the  barracks  to  Fort  Scott,  and  all  the 
brick  barracks  except  100  eventually  became  office  buildings.20 

In  1978  the  Department  of  Defense  initiated  a  base  realignment  study  to  investigate  whether 
or  not  the  Presidio  of  San  Francisco  should  continue  to  operate  as  an  active  post.  When  the 
study  concluded  in  1979  it  announced  that  the  post  should  remain  an  active  permanent 
installation.  As  a  result  some  much  needed  new  construction  proceeded  in  the  1980s.  A 
sparkling,  new  commissary  replaced  the  ancient  buildings  (251  and  252)  that  were  worn  out 
and  when  open  for  business  resembled  food  lines  in  third-world  countries.  A  modern  bowling 
alley  (92),  completed  in  1988,  stood  near  the  southwest  corner  of  the  main  parade  near  an  up- 
to-date  library  (386)  built  in  1960  and  a  child-care  center  (387)  in  the  same  area.  Elsewhere  on 
the  reservation  the  Public  Health  Service  hospital  closed  its  doors  in  1989  and,  for  a  short 
time,  the  main  building  served  as  a  temporary  home  for  the  Army  Language  School,  whose 
new  facilities  were  taking  shape  at  the  Presidio  of  Monterey.  The  Sixth  Army  Operations 
Center  in  building  38  underwent  modifications  in  its  basement  in  1985.  Workmen  ripped  out 
the  existing  facilities  in  the  basement  and  replaced  them  with  a  classified  library, 
administrative  offices,  and  postal  facilities.  They  completed  a  computer  room  (Worldwide 
Military  Command  and  Control  System  Computer  Center  -  WWMCCS!)  and  emergency 
standby  power.  The  War  Room  stood  directly  under  the  Command  Group  that  was  located 
on  the  first  floor.  The  Engineers  noted  that  other  than  blocking  some  windows  for  security, 
no  negative  effect  resulted  concerning  the  building's  historical  significance.21 

In  1984  the  Presidio  had  a  forest  management  plan  prepared  for  both  itself  and  East  Fort 
Baker.  After  describing  how  the  Army  should  proceed,  the  contractor  noted  the  existing 


19.  PSF,  "Annual  Historical  Supplement,"  for  1967  and  1973;  "Annual  Historical  Information  Report,"  October 
1978-September  1979,  File  K-2,  Master  Plans,  DEH,  PSF.  When  the  post  hospital  became  the  Wright  Army  Hospital 
has  not  been  learned.  It  probably  was  named  for  either  Brig.  Gen.  George  Wright,  commander  of  the  Department 
of  the  Pacific  during  the  Civil  War,  or  his  son,  Thomas  Wright,  commander  of  the  Presidio  during  the  Civil  War. 

20.  "Annual  Historical  Supplement,  Presidio  of  San  Francisco  ...  1  October  1979-3  September  1980.  The  post 
comptroller's  office  and  the  finance  and  accounting  office  had  already  occupied  barracks  103. 

21.  Files  D-3  and  E4,  Master  Plans,  DEH,  PSF. 

132 


conditions.  He  said  that  not  much  regeneration  was  taking  place  in  the  forest  that  was  now 
approaching  100  years  of  age,  except  the  eucalyptus.  Much  forest  litter  covered  the  ground 
and  he  considered  that  to  be  a  fire  danger.  Eucalyptus  covered  157  acres;  Monterey  cypress, 
127  acres;  Monterey  pine,  32  acres,  and  redwood,  willow,  and  oak  occupied  minor  acreage. 
He  identified  endangered  species:  Arctostaphylos  hookeri  spp  ravcnii  (Presidio  manzanita,  better 
known  as  ravens'  manzanita),  Clarkia  franciscana  (Presidio  clarkia),  and  Plagiobothrys  diffusus 
(San  Francisco  popcorn  flower);  and  rare  species,  Lessinagia  germanorum  (San  Francisco 
lessingia),  Grindella  maritima  (gumplant),  Hesperolinum  congestion  (Marin  dwarf  flax),  and 
Orthocarpus  floribundus.22 

As  the  1980s  proceeded,  the  Presidio's  Master  Plans  office  prepared  additional  plans  for  the 
future.  Besides  a  proposed  golf  clubhouse,  all  the  Engineer  buildings,  including  283,  in  the 
lower  Presidio,  would  be  replaced  by  four  new  structures.  A  400-seat  chapel  would  replace 
the  old  cavalry  barracks  (682).  Battery  Dynamite  would  have  a  new  life  as  a  alternate 
emergency  operations  center  with  a  capacity  for  120  people.23  Then  everything  changed.  In 
1989  the  U.S.  Congress  approved  a  report  by  the  Secretary  of  Defense's  Commission  on  Base 
Realignment  and  Closure  that  had  recommended  the  closure  of  the  Presidio  of  San  Francisco, 
thus  paving  the  way  for  the  grand  old  post  to  become  part  of  the  National  Park  System.24 


22.  Joe  R.  McBride,  Forest  Management  Plan  for  the  Presidio  and  East  Fort  Baker  (1984). 

23.  File  K-4,  Master  Plans,  DEH,  PSF. 

24.  Jack  Edwards,  Co-chairman,  Commission  on  Base  Realignment  and  Closure,  December  29,  1988,  to 
Secretary  of  Defense  Frank  C.  Carlucci;  [Doug  Nadeau],  Draft,  Planning  Guidelines  for  the  Presidio  of  San 
Francisco,  August  11,  1989. 

133 


53. 


Noncommissioned  officers'  club  completed  in  1949.  During  the  Korean  War  several  important 
international  events,  including  the  signing  of  a  Treaty  of  Peace  with  Japan,  occurred  in  this  building.  E. 
Thompson,  1991 


54.  The  Chapel  of  Our  Lady,  the  post's  first  chapel  and  now  Catholic,  underwent  renovations  in  1952  and 

1970.  Other  than  the  steeple,  little  remains  of  the  structure  Civil  War  appearance.  E.  Thompson,  1991 


134 


CHAPTER  8:  THE  TENANTS  AND  OTHER  ACTIVITIES 


Within  the  boundaries  of  the  Presidio  and  Fort  Scott,  several  independent  entities  acquired 
permits,  licenses,  leases,  or  permission  to  carry  out  their  activities  on  the  military  reservation. 
Some  of  these,  such  as  Letterman  General  Hospital  and  the  Western  Research  Laboratory 
(later  Letterman  Army  Institute  of  Research)  were  army  organizations  independent  of  the 
Presidio's  command.  While  separate  organizations,  they  were,  however,  dependent  on  the 
Presidio  for  logistical  support,  provided  by  an  Inter-Service  Support  Agreement.  Other 
organizations,  such  as  the  U.S.  Coast  Guard's  Fort  Point  Life  Saving  Station,  operated  as  fully 
independent  entities,  including  logistics,  having  acquired  permits  from  the  Army  to  occupy 
lands  within  the  reservation  to  carry  out  their  responsibilities. 


A-l.      Letterman  Army  Medical  Center 

When  the  chief  surgeon  of  the  Department  of  California  learned  in  1898  that  as  a 
consequence  of  war  breaking  out  between  the  United  States  and  Spain  more  than  twenty 
thousand  army  troops  would  be  passing  through  San  Francisco  en  route  to  the  Philippine 
Islands,  Hawaii,  and  other  destinations  in  the  Pacific,  he  recommended  construction  of  a  500- 
bed  army  hospital.  A  tent  hospital  at  Camp  Merritt  proving  unsuitable,  a  "general  hospital" 
was  organized  on  December  1,  1898,  in  the  Presidio's  brick  barracks  per  the  War 
Department's  General  Orders  182  which  stated  that  the  hospital  formerly  known  as  the 
Division  Field  Hospital  at  San  Francisco  had  become  the  United  States  Army  General 
Hospital.  The  first  post  return  for  the  hospital,  December  31,  1898,  showed  the  commanding 
officer  to  be  Maj.  Willard  S.  H.  Matthews,  a  surgeon  in  the  51st  Iowa  Volunteers.  His  staff  at 
that  date  consisted  of  four  contract  surgeons,  two  army  officers,  twenty-three  contract  nurses, 
and  sixty-one  enlisted  men.  The  patients  already  numbered  178.1 

By  the  summer  of  1899,  Lt.  Col.  Alfred  C.  Girard,  an  army  surgeon  since  1867  and  later  a 
brigadier  general,  had  assumed  command.  He  found  that  a  contract  had  been  let  to  a  San 
Francisco  architect,  W.H.  Wilcox,  who  had  begun  construction  of  a  general  hospital  of  350 
beds  on  the  Presidio  reservation  near  the  eastern  boundary.  He  had  mixed  feelings  about  the 
site.  While  it  was  close  to  the  city,  the  main  post,  and  the  camps,  it  was  exposed  to  high 
winds,  fog,  and  the  liquor  stores  just  outside  the  reservation  -  this  last  a  plague  that  lasted 


1.  Letterman  General  Hospital,  hereinafter  cited  as  LGH,  Post  Returns,  December  1898,  Roll  973,  NA; 

"History,  Letterman  Army  Hospital,  June  27, 1951,"  Land  Acquisition  and  Letterman  Construction  Files,  1898-1980, 
RG  112,  NA-San  Francisco;  Report  of  the  Surgeon-General  of  the  Army  to  the  Secretary  of  War  .  .  .  June  30,  1900 
(Washington:  Government  Printing  Office,  1900),  p.  29. 

135 


for  years.  He  described  the  new  hospital  as  being  a  pavilion-type  with  a  rectangular  veranda 
joining  the  structures  on  all  sides.  The  ten  wards,  staff  quarters,  administration  building,  and 
so  forth,  all  wood  frame,  had  one  or  two  stories. 

An  article  appeared  in  a  1900  issue  of  Overland  Monthly  that  had  nothing  but  praise  for  the 
new  hospital  as  well  as  the  Medical  Corps  in  general: 

This  is  perhaps  the  largest  hospital  in  the  United  States  .  .  .  erected  in 
1899  at  a  cost  of  about  $400,000.  ...  It  is  built  on  the  pavilion  plan  .  .  .  and 
covers  six  acres  of  ground.  Its  equipment  includes  an  electric  light  plant,  water 
works  and  filters,  steam  heat,  ice  factory,  bakery,  laundry,  repair  shops, 
printing  office,  post  office,  dispensary,  pathological  laboratory,  surgical 
operating  ward  .  .  .  everything  indeed  that  may  be  serviceable  in  a  model 
modern  hospital.2 

A  later  observer  noted  that  Girard  succeeded  in  establishing  an  efficient  operation  despite 
incompetent  help,  measles  epidemics,  shiploads  of  wounded  from  the  Philippines,  swarms 
of  flies  and  mosquitoes,  and  a  1901  fire  that  destroyed  several  wards  and  mess  facilities.3 
Conditions  gradually  improved  in  those  early  years:  1901,  an  x-ray  laboratory;  1904, 
construction  of  a  $22,000  operating  pavilion;  and  1905,  dental  clinic.  When  the  earthquake  hit 
San  Francisco  in  1906,  the  commanding  officer,  Brig.  Gen.  George  H.  Torney,  took  charge  of 
the  city's  sanitation  and  the  hospital  opened  its  doors  to  the  sick  and  injured.  In  1911,  War 
Department  General  Orders  152  changed  the  name  to  Letterman  General  Hospital  in  honor 
of  Jonathan  Letterman,  medical  director  of  the  Army  of  the  Potomac  during  the  Civil  War, 
who  revolutionized  the  medical  service  at  the  front  lines.  He  died  in  San  Francisco  in  1872.4 

The  Surgeon  General  reported  in  1916  that  Letterman  served  as  a  "base  hospital"  for  the 
Philippines  and  Hawaii,  a  "post  hospital"  for  army  installations  in  the  Bay  Area,  and  a 
"general  hospital"  for  the  western  part  of  the  United  States.  Before  World  War  I,  Letterman 
averaged  3,000  patients  annually.  When  the  United  States  entered  the  war  in  1917,  the 
hospital  expanded  rapidly  to  1,200  beds.  The  Surgeon  General  designated  Letterman  an 
orthopedics  center  and  amputees  from  the  American  Expeditionary  Force  in  France  came 
there  for  treatment,  the  Presidio  pioneering  in  the  development  of  physical  therapy. 
Treatment  of  venereal  diseases  became  a  specialty  at  this  time,  and  the  hospital  established 


2.  Paul  Pickney,  "Our  Largest  Army  Hospital,"  Overland  Monthly  36  (July-December  1900):  489-490. 

3.  Louis  Mudgett,  "A  Brief  History  of  Letterman  Army  Hospital"  (typescript  1957),  p.  1.  Copy  at  Presidio 
Army  Museum. 

4.  Webster's  American  Military  Biographies,  pp.  236-237. 

136 


55.  Letterman  General  Hospital,  ca.  1910.  Officers'  quarters  on  the  right;  administrative  buildings  on  the  left. 

U.S.  Army,  Presidio  Army  Museum 


56.  Concrete  administrative  buildings  1012  (built  in  1931)  and  1013  (built  in  1933)  at  Letterman.  Both  replaced 

1899  wood-frame  wards  at  the  same  site.  E.  Thompson,  1991 


137 


a  division  of  neurology  and  psychiatry.  Letterman  also  had  a  prison  ward  that  accommodated 
prisoner  patients  from  all  over  the  country.  The  staff  now  numbered  fifty-six  officers,  131 
female  nurses,  656  enlisted  men,  and  187  civilians.5 

Following  the  war  the  number  of  beds  declined  to  750.  Patients  arrived  from  the  Philippines, 
Hawaii,  Alaska,  China,  Panama,  and  the  western  states.  In  1923  Letterman  sent  a  thirty-nine- 
man  detachment  to  Japan  for  earthquake  relief  where  they  remained  for  three  months.  In 
1933,  with  the  establishment  of  the  CCC,  the  annual  number  of  patients  rose  to  5,000.  Then, 
in  1941,  Letterman  became  the  debarkation  hospital  for  the  Pacific.  Bed  capacity  increased  to 
3,500.  During  the  war  the  hospital  took  over  Area  A  -  the  mobilization-type  barracks  built 
in  1941  in  the  eastern  part  of  the  lower  Presidio  (900  beds)  and  leased  a  civilian  hospital  in 
the  city  (238  beds)  at  Broadway  and  Van  Ness.  The  year  1945  alone  saw  72,000  patients  pass 
through  Letterman.  And  in  one  day,  October  20,  a  record  of  1,862  patients  were  admitted 
from  hospital  ships.6 

As  the  war  in  the  Pacific  grew  to  dramatic  heights  in  1944-1945,  the  number  of  wounded 
returning  to  Letterman  grew  in  a  like  manner.  In  September  and  October  1944,  alone,  the 
hospital  evacuated  16,000  patients  to  other  parts  of  the  country.  By  December  four  full 
hospital  trains  pulled  out  of  the  Crissy  Field  railroad  yard  daily.  The  Surgeon  General 
planned  to  have  111  hospital  ward  cars  assigned  to  San  Francisco  by  February  1945.  While 
the  major  railroad  companies  carried  out  maintenance  and  service  of  the  hospital  cars, 
Hospital  Train  Unit  SCU  1960,  U.S.A.,  performed  lower  echelon  maintenance  work  at  lower 
Presidio.7 

Only  five  years  passed  between  the  end  of  World  War  II  and  the  beginning  of  the  Korean 
War  when  once  again  the  number  of  patients  at  Letterman  increased,  but  lightly.  On  July  1, 
1950,  the  Department  of  the  Army  again  changed  the  name  to  Letterman  Army  Hospital,  per 
General  Orders  21.  Of  the  16,500  admissions  during  the  war,  twenty-eight  percent  were  battle 
casualties. 


Report  of  the  Surgeon  General,  1916,  to  the  Secretary  of  War;  Letterman  General  Hospital,  Annual  Report 
1919,  both  in  RG  112,  NA-San  Francisco.  Formerly,  each  of  the  Bay  Area  posts,  including  the  Presidio,  had  its  own 
post  hospital.  Now,  with  improved  transportation  and  communication,  Letterman  served  as  the  area's  military 
hospital.  In  some  cases,  former  post  hospitals  became  dispensaries. 

6.  Mudgett,  "A  Brief  History,"  pp.  5  and  9-10;  "History,  1951";  Booklet,  Dedication  Ceremony,  February  14, 

1969,  L.G.H.  Copy  in  Master  Plans,  DEH,  PSF. 

Col.  H.H.  (, .illicit,  Ninth  Service  Command,  December  22,  1944,  to  the  San  Francisco  District  Engineer, 
RG  112,  NA-San  Francisco.  By  the  end  of  the  war  there  were  10,000  feet  of  track  including  a  four-track  yard  in 
the  lower  Presidio.  File  0-1,  Master  Plans,  DEH,  PSF. 

138 


A  1957  engineer  report  listed  Letterman's  facilities.  Of  the  125  buildings,  fifty-seven  were 
regarded  as  permanent.  The  hospital,  then  having  900  beds,  occupied  forty-eight  acres.  In  the 
fall  of  1960  Letterman  proudly  announced  the  completion  of  a  swimming  pool  (1151).  Since 
it  was  the  only  pool  in  the  entire  Presidio  all  commands  could  enjoy  it,  but  the  therapeutic 
treatment  of  patients  came  first.8 

In  fiscal  year  1960,  Letterman  issued  "Facts"  concerning  itself.  Patient  capacity  at  that  time 
amounted  to  1,000  beds  that  could  be  expanded  to  3,500  during  an  emergency.  The  cost  of 
the  plant,  since  1898,  including  improvements,  amounted  to  more  than  $4.5  million.  Installed 
equipment  accounted  for  $2.5  million  more.  The  1961  staffing  included  1,554  military 
personnel  and  672  civilians.  Letterman  had  become  a  professional  teaching  hospital  with  both 
residency  and  internship  programs.9  It  continued  to  play  a  vital  role  during  the  war  in 
Southeast  Asia. 


A-2.      Letterman's  Buildings 

By  the  end  of  1900,  the  Army  had  spent  $200,000  on  the  new  general  hospital.  This 
sum  included  not  only  the  hospital  proper  but  the  important  support  facilities  such  as 
laundry,  bakery,  power  building,  and  refrigerator  building,  all  to  the  north  of  the  pavilion. 
East  of  the  wards,  in  a  north-south  line  by  1908,  five  sets  of  officers'  quarters  (1000-1004) 
graced  the  edge  of  an  open  area.  Colonial  Revival  in  style,  the  2/2  story,  wood  frame 
buildings  had  narrow  weatherboard  siding  and  gable  roofs  with  cross  gables  which  had 
molded  cornices  with  dentril  courses.  Quarters  1000,  traditionally  occupied  by  Letterman's 
commanding  officer,  is  the  fourth  general's  quarters  within  the  military  reservation.  The 
building  had  eighteen  rooms  excluding  the  front  porch  which  was  enclosed  in  1930. 10 

Construction  continued  through  the  years  with  the  addition  of  wards,  clinics,  chapel,  nurses' 
quarters,  and  other  facilities.  Thompson  Hall,  at  the  southwest  corner  of  the  hospital  complex, 
constructed  as  nurses'  quarters,  consisted  of  six  wings.  Two  of  these  were  demolished  in  1941. 
The  remaining  four,  all  reinforced  concrete  became  part  of  the  hall  at  different  times:  1022  in 


8.  File  0-1,  Master  Plans,  DEH,  PSF;  Maj.  Gen.  J.W.  Schwartz,  October  14, 1960,  to  the  Commanding  Officer, 
PSF,  in  RG  112,  NA-San  Francisco;  General  Reference  and  Research  branch,  U.S.  Army  Medical  Service,  "A  brief 
history  of  Letterman  General  Hospital"  (Washington,  1962). 

9.  "Facts  on  Letterman  General  Hospital,"  PSF  Lands,  RG  338,  NA-San  Francisco;  Mudgett,  "A  Brief  History," 
p.  11. 

10.  LGH,  "Quarters  1000,"  RG  112,  NA-San  Francisco  Branch.  Quarters  1000  and  1001  were  built  in  1902;  the 
other  three,  in  1908.  All  but  1000  were  duplexes. 

139 


57.  A  surviving  portion  of  the  original  covered  corridor  that  joined  all  the  buildings  of  the  original, 

rectangular,  pavilion-type  hospital  as  it  was  built  in  1899.  E.  Thompson,  1991 


1915;  1014  in  1916;  1026  in  1930,  and  1020  in  1931.  The  present  front  entrance  dates  from 
1931.11 

When  the  United  States  became  involved  in  World  War  I,  Letterman  expanded  greatly  with 
the  construction  of  "East  Hospital,"  east  of  officers'  row.  As  first  constructed  it  contained 
nineteen  40-man  wards,  a  psychopathic  ward,  five  barracks  for  staff,  and  a  nurses'  dorm.  (By 
the  end  of  World  War  II  this  area  contained  over  thirty  wood  frame,  one-  and  two-story 
buildings,  all  in  the  1100  series.)  These  buildings  were  razed  in  the  1960s  in  order  to  construct 
the  new  Letterman  Army  Medical  Center. 


11. 


File  E-2,  Master  Plans,  DEH,  PSF. 


140 


Letterman's  annual  report  for  1922  stated  that  the  hospital  then  had  fifty-six  permanent  (i.e., 
concrete)  buildings  and  twenty-nine  temporary  (i.e.,  wood  frame)  structures.  The 
commanding  officer,  Col.  Wallace  De  Witt,  wrote  in  1929  that  "the  frame  and  stucco  buildings 
are  old  and,  with  the  exception  of  the  Officers'  Quarters  ...  do  not  meet  modern 
requirements  and  constitute  a  potential  fire  hazard."  He  urged  that  concrete  structures  replace 
them  all.12 

Miscellaneous  items  concerning  the  Letterman  buildings  include  its  fire  station  (1149). 
Constructed  in  1943  for  the  protection  of  the  wooden  buildings  in  the  East  Hospital  Area,  it 
closed  down  in  1946.  At  that  time  the  firemen's  quarters  became  much  needed  quarters  for 
transient  officers.  Another  transient  officers'  quarters  became  available  sometime  in  the  1960s 
when  the  chief  nurse  moved  out  of  her  suite  in  Thompson  Hall.  After  World  War  II 
Letterman  building  1062  became  a  motion  picture  theater.  After  it  was  demolished,  the  Jack 
W.  Schwarz  Theater  (1105)  amply  replaced  it.13 

A  1947  report  stated  that  the  number  of  female  officers  stationed  at  Letterman  amounted  to 
242,  while  only  156  rooms  were  available  to  them  at  the  hospital.  Although  the  Army  leased 
another  forty-five  rooms  in  the  city,  a  severe  shortage  remained.  The  problem  persisted.  A 
1960  report  stated  that  230  married  officers  worked  at  the  hospital.  Housing  existed  for  less 
than  thirty  percent.  During  World  War  II,  Letterman  took  over  Area  A  at  the  east  end  of 
lower  Presidio  (which  had  housed  some  prisoners  of  war  up  until  then).  These  some  thirty- 
five  buildings,  in  the  200  series,  served  a  variety  of  purposes:  quarters  for  the  hospital  train 
section,  dispensary,  mess  halls,  Red  Cross  recreation,  noncommissioned  officers'  club, 
patients'  recreation  facilities,  barracks  for  hospital  corps  enlisted  men,  ambulatory  patients, 
convalescent  patients,  and  so  forth.  In  1957  five  of  these  buildings  (212,  213,  213x,  214,  and 
214x)  became  WAC  barracks.14 

In  1956  Letterman  requested  use  of  the  Presidio's  former  cavalry  stables  668  for  use  as  its 
animal  laboratory  -  dogs,  guinea  pigs,  rats,  .mice,  etc.  The  Presidio  was  agreeable  and 


12.  LGH,  Annual  Report  for  1922;  Col.  Wallace  De  Witt,  February  25,  1929,  to  the  Surgeon  General,  both  in 
AG  112,  NA-San  Francisco  Branch.  The  Army  by  this  time  interpreted  brick,  masonry,  and  concrete  construction 
as  permanent  in  nature,  and  wood  or  balloon-frame  construction  to  be  temporary.  Yet  at  the  time  they  were  built, 
Letterman's  officers'  quarters,  1000  through  1004,  were  intended  as  permanent  buildings  and  they  still  served 
ninety  years  later. 

13.  Col.  A.H.  Schwichtenberg,  November  1,  1948,  to  the  commanding  general,  LGH;  Col.  James  H.  Mackin, 
October  9,  1965  to  Colonel  Boeckman,  both  in  RG  112,  NA-San  Francisco  Branch. 

14.  Maj.  Earle  A.  Paxon,  February  16, 1947,  to  the  Surgeon  General;  "Designation  of  Buildings  in  Debarkation 
Hospital  Area,"  1948;  and  Col.  R.J.  Kamish,  December  16,  1960,  to  the  commanding  general,  LGH,  all  in  RG  112, 
NA-San  Francisco. 

141 


Letterman  spent  $12,600  rehabilitating  the  structure.15  A  year  later,  the  hospital's 
landscaping  efforts  became  the  subject  of  a  report.  It  said  that  trees  of  various  species  had 
been  planted  extensively.  Acacias,  planted  at  regular  spaces,  grew  along  the  streets  east  of  the 
main  hospital.  Besides  nineteen  acres  of  lawn,  numerous  shrubs,  hedges,  flower  borders,  and 
vines  grew  around  the  buildings.  A  greenhouse  provided  flowers  for  the  hospital.16 

Beginning  in  1972,  reports  emerged  noting  the  demolition  of  "temporary"  buildings  both  at 
the  hospital  and  in  the  lower  Presidio,  including  some  of  the  early-day  buildings  (1017,  1018, 
and  1019).  That  year  a  plan  called  for  the  elimination  of  all  older  buildings.  By  1976  all  of  the 
west  half  of  the  original  quadrangle  had  disappeared  and  in  their  place  there  arose  modern 
barracks  and  administrative  facilities  for  enlisted  women.17 

Nonetheless,  Letterman's  swimming  pool  (1151)  and  gymnasium  (1152)  continued  to  function. 
Other  surviving  Letterman  structures  included: 

Bacteriology  laboratory  (1006).  Built  in  1915,  this  two-story  Colonial/Mediterranean- 
Style  concrete  building  with  cream-colored  walls  and  tiled  roof,  has  deteriorated 
considerably. 

Ward  (1007),  a  wood  frame  structure,  rectangular  in  plan,  with  hip  and  gable  roof, 
dates  from  1901,  thus  making  it  a  survivor  from  Letterman's  earliest  days.  Later,  it 
served  as  a  nurses'  quarters. 

Wards  (1008  and  1009).  These  two-story  concrete  structures,  similar  to  1006  above, 
were  constructed  in  1930  and  1931. 

Three  buildings,  appearing  as  one,  were:  ward  (1012)  built  in  1931,  ward  (1013)  built 
in  1933,  and  building  1014,  built  in  1933  and  now  an  outpatient  clinic.  They  were 
Colonial /Mediterranean  in  style  with  cream-colored  walls  and  red-tiled,  hipped  roofs. 
Structure  1014  has  an  arcaded  porte  cochere  surmounted  with  a  wrought  iron  railing. 

Administration  building  (1016).  This  long,  rectangular,  wood  frame  building  is  the 
oldest  survivor  of  Letterman  General  Hospital,  having  been  built  in  1899.  Short  wings 


15.  Lt.  Col.  Louis  E. ,  September  11,  1956,  to  CO,  PSF,  RG  112,  NA-San  Francisco.  It  is  possible  that  the 

dog  kennels  (666)  were  constructed  at  this  time. 

16.  "Analysis  of  Existing  Facilities,"  LGH,  August  19,  1957,  RG  112,  NA-San  Francisco. 

17.  Files  1-4  and  0-5,  Master  Plans,  DEH,  PSF. 

142 


project  at  either  end  of  the  front.  A  one-story,  enclosed  corridor  and  an  entrance 
portico  in  the  Modern  style  fill  the  front  U,  compromising  the  building's  Utilitarian 
style. 

The  Letterman  powerhouse  and  steamplant  (1040),  built  in  1900  with  brick,  and 
Utilitarian  in  style  is  another  survivor  from  the  beginning.  A  concrete  second  story  has 
been  added  to  the  building. 

A  disinfecting  plant  (1047),  built  in  1914  and  converted  to  a  laundry  in  1937,  was  a 
1 '/2-story,  concrete  structure  built  in  a  Craftsman  style  but  influenced  by  the 
Mediterranean  Revival  style.  The  tiled  roof  was  embellished  with  rows  of  decorative 
wooden  brackets  and  the  walls  have  large  windows. 

A  bakery  (1049)  built  in  1917,  later  became  a  twenty-bed  ward. 

Psychiatric  ward  (1050),  built  in  1918,  possessed  a  Utilitarian/Mediterranean  Revival 
style,  as  did  the  attached  detention  ward  (1051),  built  in  1909.  Both  concrete  buildings 
had  three  stories  with  metal  bars  on  the  windows. 

The  former  animal  house  (1056),  built  in  1910;  combustible  storage  building  (1059),  one 
story,  concrete,  and  built  in  1915;  medical  and  surgical  warehouse  (1060),  built  in  1916; 
quartermaster  shop  (1062),  built  in  1922;  and  a  procurement-contracting  building 
(1065),  built  in  1919,  were  all  concrete  structures  built  in  a  Utilitarian  style. 

The  U.S.  Army  Medical  Research  and  Development  Command  selected  Letterman  for  the 
establishment  of  the  Western  Medical  Research  Laboratory  on  September  1,  1966.  Established 
in  five  small  buildings  it  researched  in  the  fields  of  tropical  medicine,  nutrition,  surgery  and 
blood  replacement,  pathology,  and  psychiatry.  This  organization  became  the  Letterman  Army 
Institute  of  Research  (LAIR)  in  1973  and  occupied  a  new  complex  of  four  interconnected 
buildings:  administrative  support,  laboratory  research,  and  research  support,  all  constructed 
between  1973  and  1977,  and  chemical  storage,  built  ca.  1982.  These  structures  vary  from  one 
to  four  stories.  Numbered  1110,  LAIR  is  a  separate  command  from  the  general  hospital  and, 
like  it,  is  supported  by  the  Presidio  of  San  Francisco  by  means  of  an  inter-service  support 
agreement.  Primary  research  in  1990  was  in  the  fields  of  artificial  blood,  laser,  and 
resuscitation.18 


18.  File  F-3,  Master  Plans,  DEH,  PSF;  Herbert  A.  Gale,  "Reference  History  of  the  Presidio  of  San  Francisco, 

California,"  (1973),  p.  19;  Anon,  "History  of  Major  Tenants  -  Presidio  of  San  Francisco,"  n.d.  Copy  in  Presidio  Army 
Museum;  "Meeting  Record,  "Letterman  Army  Medical  Center,  January  3,  1990,  Files,  GGNRA. 

143 


The  hospital  itself  acquired  a  new  edifice  in  May  1968.  The  new  building,  located  to  the 
southeast  of  the  original  structures,  had  facilities  for  550  beds.  Constructed  of  reinforced 
concrete  frame  and  precast  concrete  panels,  the  building's  three-story  base  contained  clinical 
facilities;  while  nursing  facilities  occupied  the  seven-story  tower  above.  The  structure  included 
178  doctors'  offices,  100  examining  rooms,  seven  operating  rooms,  nine  elevators,  and  an 
obstetrical  unit.  Cost  -  $14.8  million.19 

In  1990  Letterman  Army  Medical  Center  stated  its  mission  as  being  fivefold:  medical  support 
for  the  Army,  graduate  medical  education  and  technical  training,  tertiary  care  for  military 
retirees,  support  in  civilian  disasters,  and  coordination  of  regional  health  care.  The  hospital 
maintained  340  beds  with  the  capacity  to  expand  to  817  in  an  emergency.  In  addition,  it 
serviced  1,500  outpatient  visitors  per  day.  The  staff  in  1990  consisted  of  1,160  military 
personnel  and  700  civilians.  Most  patients  were  retired  military,  rather  than  active  duty 
personnel.20 


B.          Crissy  Field 

Col.  Henry  H.  Arnold,  one  of  the  Army's  first  pilots,  arrived  at  San  Francisco  in  May 
1919  to  become  the  first  Air  Service  officer  assigned  to  the  staff  of  the  Western  Department. 
By  November  he  observed  that  aircraft  were  landing  at  the  west  end  of  lower  Presidio  which 
had  been  filled  by  dredging  for  the  1915  international  exposition.  By  the  summer  of  1920  the 
landing  strip  had  become  known  as  Crissy  Field,  although  orders  formally  naming  it  have 
not  been  found.  Named  in  honor  of  Maj.  Dana  Crissy  who  had  been  killed  in  1919  in  a 
transcontinental  air  race  that  had  originated  at  San  Francisco,  the  field  was  turned  over  to  the 
Air  Service  on  June  24,  1921,  upon  completion  of  its  buildings  and  other  facilities.  It  became 
the  first  and  only  Air  Service  Coast  Defense  Station  on  the  West  Coast,  its  principal  mission 
being  to  assist  the  Coast  Artillery  in  the  defense  of  San  Francisco  Bay. 

The  first  landing  strip,  or  runway,  consisted  of  a  short  stretch  of  ground  running  from 
hangars  at  the  west  end  of  the  field  eastward  2,000  feet.  A  thin  layer  of  clay  over  the  sandy 
ground  formed  the  surface  of  the  strip.  By  June  1925  the  runway  had  reached  a  length  of 
3,300  feet  through  leveling,  grading,  and  additional  clay  surface.  A  year  later  the  Army  added 
another  1,000  feet  to  the  runway  and  regraded  and  resurfaced  the  entire  strip.  Finally,  in  1927 
work  resumed  resulting  in  the  runway  having  the  overall  dimensions  of  5,200  feet  in  length 
and  approximately  400  feet  in  width.  In  1934,  two  years  before  Crissy  was  abandoned,  a 


19.  File  0-1,  Master  Plans,  DEH,  PSF. 

20.  "Meeting  Record,"  Letterman  Army  Medical  Center,  January  3,  1990,  Files,  GGNRA. 

144 


contractor  completed  a  "landing  mat"  measuring  1,000  feet  in  length  and  200  feet  wide.  Seven 
inches  of  crushed  rock  formed  the  base,  a  coat  of  rolled  and  packed  "leveling"  rock  covered 
the  base,  and  a  topping  of  natural  rock  asphalt  completed  the  work. 

After  Crissy  Field  closed,  Works  Progress  Administration  funds  became  available  to  make 
certain  improvements  at  the  field.  A  report  in  1938  stated  that  400,000  square  feet  of  landing 
runway  had  been  resurfaced.  Light  planes  used  the  runway  in  World  War  II.  Then,  in  the  late 
fifties  the  installation  reopened  as  Crissy  Army  Airfield  to  both  light  planes  and  helicopters. 
In  1974  use  of  the  airfield  was  restricted  to  helicopters  only.  The  date  the  present  concrete 
runway  was  laid  down  has  not  been  determined  with  certainty.  It  may  have  been  1938  or  in 
1960  when  the  runway  was  extended.21 

Most  of  the  administrative  and  industrial  buildings  completed  in  1921  stood  at  the  west  end 
of  the  landing  strip.  The  enlisted  barracks  (650),  a  reinforced  concrete,  two-story,  H-plan 
building  with  a  raised  basement  story  had  a  recess  porch  or  corridor  over  an  arcaded  base 
on  the  elevation  inside  the  court.  The  gable-ends  of  the  roof,  faced  with  curved  or  scrolled 
moldings  had  a  circular  opening  in  the  middle.  All  these  features  contributed  to  a  Mission 
Revival  style.  Later  named  Stilwell  Hall,  the  building  housed  a  variety  of  activities  after  the 
Air  Service  departed. 

The  administrative  building  (651)  stood  nearby.  Its  main  floor  contained  the  offices  of  the 
commanding  officer  of  the  field,  while  the  department's  Air  Service  officer,  commencing  with 
Colonel  Arnold,  occupied  the  second  floor.  Craftsman/Mediterranean  Revival  in  style,  the 
building  combined  the  light-colored  stucco  and  tile  roof  with  Classical  and  Craftsman  details. 
Hollow  tile  formed  the  walls.  After  the  Air  Service  departed,  the  commander  of  the  Presidio 
and  the  30th  Infantry  Regiment  established  his  headquarters  in  this  structure. 

The  field's  small  guardhouse,  31  feet  by  37  feet,  stood  at  the  entrance  to  the  field  on  the  south 
side  of  Crissy  Field  Avenue.  It  displayed  an  eclectic  style  combining  the  light-colored  walls 
and  tile  roof  of  Mediterranean  Revival  with  such  Classic  elements  as  the  entrance  portico  and 
door  with  round  arch  and  fan-shaped  transom  window.  Crissy  Field's  flagstaff  stood  in  front 
of  this  building. 

Farther  to  the  west  stood  a  collection  of  structures  including  a  garage,  hangars,  shops,  and 
maintenance  facilities.  The  garage  (920),  a  long,  one-story,  gable-roofed  building  in  a 


21.  William  Mooser,  Jr.  "Report  on  Progress  of  the  Works  Program  in  San  Francisco,  January  1938;"  Col.  James 

H.  Makin,  July  29,  1965,  Memo  for  Record,  Letterman  General  Hospital,  RG  112,  NA-San  Francisco. 

145 


Utilitarian  style,  later  became  a  warehouse.  Beyond  it  stood  a  group  of  industrial  buildings 
today  labeled  "Maintenance  Shops."  Most  of  these  structures  had  rectangular  plans  with  a 
central,  gable-roofed  section  raised  above  side  sections  with  shed-roofs,  often  called  a  basilica 
plan: 

Hangars  (926  and  937),  two-story,  steel  frame.   Land  planes  used  one  hangar, 
seaplanes,  the  other. 

Gas  pump  house  (929). 
Hose  reel  house  (930). 

Dope  shop  and  boiler  rooms  (933),  steel  frame.  Later  the  building  became  carpenter 
and  paint  shops. 

Motor  test  building  (934),  two-story,  reinforced  concrete. 
Aero  storehouse  (935),  also  two-story,  reinforced  concrete. 
Seaplane  ramp,  at  the  harbor's  edge. 

The  living  quarters  for  Crissy  Field,  also  completed  in  1921,  stood  on  the  bluff  south  of  the 
field,  along  Lincoln  Boulevard.  Bachelor  Officers'  Quarters  (951),  2/2  stories,  wood  frame, 
stuccoed  hollow  tile  walls  possessed  a  sub-style  of  Colonial  Revival  called  Southern  Colonial 
because  of  the  two-story  portico  with  a  triangular  pediment  and  Tuscan  columns,  and 
Classically  a  detailed  entrance  flanked  by  round-arched  windows  with  fanlights.  The  building 
also  reflected  the  Mediterranean  Revival  style  with  its  use  of  light-colored  walls  and  a  tile 
roof.  In  1990  it  served  as  an  enlisted  personnel  guest  house. 

The  twelve  officers'  quarters  (952-964)  proved  to  be  too  small  when  first  built.  The  Air  Service 
glassed  in  the  front  porch  and  added  a  bedroom  to  the  rear  of  each  set  in  1922,  and  a 
servant's  room  in  1928.  Each  of  the  two-story  residences  had  a  rectangular  plan,  a  one-story 
porch,  and  a  tiled  and  gabled  roof.  They  were  simplified  Colonial/Mediterranean  Revival  in 
style.  To  the  west  of  these  quarters  Crissy  Field's  radio  receiving  station  had  stuccoed, 
hollow-tile  walls.  Its  one  story  measured  32  feet  by  47  feet.  After  World  War  II  this  structure 
became  an  officer's  quarters. 


146 


58.  Crissy  Field.  The  nearer  structure  was  the  airfield's  administrative  building.  "Hap"  Arnold,  later  the  first 

commanding  general  of  the  United  States  Air  Force,  had  his  offices  on  the  second  floor.  Beyond  it  stands 
the  Mission  Revival-styled  enlisted  men's  barracks.  E.  Thompson,  1991 


In  December  1921,  the  U.S.  Air  Mail  Service  received  permission  to  land  at  Crissy  Field.  It 
constructed  a  small  wooden  hangar  (640)  east  of  the  enlisted  barracks.  In  1928  it  became  an 
ROTC  barracks  and  its  walls  were  covered  with  corrugated  iron.  Today  it  serves  as  a 
warehouse. 

In  1922  and  1923  Crissy  Field  constructed  two  additional  steel-frame  hangars  between  the  air 
mail  building  and  the  barracks.  While  originally  conceived  as  storehouses  for  air  service 
material,  they  soon  became  classrooms,  drill  hall,  and  gymnasium  for  Army  Reserve  units 
during  their  weekend  and  annual  training.  By  1928  the  two  had  been  joined  together  by  a 
small  office  building.  Their  roofs  displayed  the  words  CRISSY  FIELD  in  large  letters.  Today, 
identified  as  one  building  (643),  the  long,  rectangular  structure  has  a  parapeted  gable  roof  and 
bays  divided  by  shallow  piers.  The  style  is  simplified  Mission  Revival. 


147 


59.  Crissy  Field.  Officers'  quarters,  erected  on  the  bluff  behind  the  flying  field  in  1921.  E.  Thompson,  1991 


60.  Crissy  Field.  Bachelor  officers'  quarters  also  constructed  in  1921.  E.  Thompson,  1991 


148 


Because  of  the  limited  space  available  for  landings  and  takeoffs,  the  dangerous  wind  currents, 
and  the  forthcoming  construction  of  the  Golden  Gate  Bridge,  the  Air  Service  (Army  Air  Corps 
after  1926)  abandoned  Crissy  Field  on  June  23,  1936.  During  its  fifteen  years  of  operation,  it 
had  served  the  Army  well:  U.S.  Air  Mail  Service,  aerial  forest  fire  patrol,  aerial  photographic 
assignments,  participation  in  community  activities,  training  army  reservists,  stimulating  an 
interest  in  aviation,  and,  above  all,  cooperating  with  ground  and  coastal  units  of  the  Army 
in  the  defense  of  San  Francisco  Bay.  Hamilton  Field  near  Novato  in  Marin  County  about 
twenty  miles  north  of  the  Presidio  replaced  Crissy  Field,  opening  in  1936. 


C.          U.S.  Coast  Guard  Station  Fort  Point 

Even  before  the  Congress  authorized  the  establishment  of  a  Life  Saving  Service  in 
1878,  the  Secretary  of  the  Treasury  had  constructed  such  a  station  at  San  Francisco's  Golden 
Gate  Park  the  year  before.  The  new  Service's  Twelfth  District,  i.e.,  the  West  Coast,  prepared 
plans  for  two  additional  stations,  near  the  Presidio's  Fort  Point  and  at  Point  Reyes,  in  1886. 
In  January  1888  Secretary  of  War  W.C.  Endicott  granted  a  revocable  license  to  Secretary  of 
Treasury  Charles  S.  Fairchild  to  erect  a  station  on  the  lower  Presidio.  On  November  2,  J.W. 
Meryman,  the  Life  Saving  Service's  Pacific  Coast  superintendent  of  construction,  announced 
that  he  had  received  the  plans  and  specifications  for  a  dwelling  house  for  keeper  and  crew 
for  each  of  the  two  stations.22 

James  H.  Coster  of  Baltimore,  Maryland,  won  the  construction  contract  in  February  1889  with 
a  bid  of  $11,000  and  a  promise  to  complete  the  work  by  September  1,  1889.  An  inspector 
visited  the  site  on  October  8  and  found  the  buildings  essentially  completed  but  work  had  not 
started  on  the  launchway.  Finally,  on  February  14,  1890,  the  superintendent  of  construction 
announced  completion  of  the  station.  A  separate  contract,  won  by  L.D.  Frichette  of  San 
Francisco,  called  for  a  fence  on  three  sides  of  the  station  -  915  feet  of  pickets  and  140  feet  of 
barbed  wire.  The  Secretary  of  War  gave  permission  for  a  lookout  tower  in  March  1891.  A  few 
years  later  an  army  officer  noted  that  the  twenty-foot,  frame  tower  stood  123  yards  in  front 
of  gun  3,  Battery  Lancaster.23 


22.  Meryman,  November  2,  1888,  to  S.J.  Kimball,  Life  Saving  Service,  hereinafter  cited  as  LSS,  Letters 
Received,  RG  26,  NA;  Anna  Coxe  Toogood,  Historic  Resource  Study,  A  Civil  History,  Golden  Gate  National  Recreation 
Area  (Denver:  National  Park  Service,  n.d.),  pp.  275-277. 

23.  [Uleg.],  LSS,  12th  District,  October  8,  1889  to  Meryman;  Capt.  J.W.  White,  Superintendent  of  Instruction, 
LSS,  to  General  Superintendent  Sumner  I.  Kimball,  LSS,  both  in  Records  of  USCG,  12th  District,  Alameda,  CA; 
"Specifications  for  Fence  for  Fort  Point"  LSS,  ca.  January  1890,  Records  of  the  USCG,  RG  26,  NA;  "Supplement  to 
Mimeograph  No.  43,  Confidential,"  General  Correspondence  1894-1923,  OCE,  RG  77,  NA. 

149 


In  1914  the  U.S.  Coast  Guard  assumed  responsibility  for  the  life  saving  stations  and  this 
station  then  became  known  as  the  Fort  Point  Coast  Guard  Station  and  it  was  numbered  323. 
From  a  document  called  Assistance  Reports  one  obtains  a  picture  of  the  variety  of  tasks  that 
came  Fort  Point's  way: 

October  20,  1917.  Picked  up  and  towed  a  becalmed  vessel  that  was  drifting  to  sea. 

September  1,  1919.  Virginia,  a  hydroplane  fell  into  the  water  from  a  height  of  100  feet. 
Towed  plane  ashore.  Hull  and  wings  a  total  loss. 

February  22,  1921.  A  man  jumped  into  bay  from  a  moving  airplane.  Took  him  aboard 
and  landed  him  on  shore. 

March  2,  1922.  Boy  fell  over  a  high  cliff.  When  found  by  station  crew  he  was  bleeding 
profusely  and  incoming  tide  was  washing  over  him. 

March  17,  1922.  Carried  sick  lighthouse  keeper  from  the  Farallone  Islands  to  station 
and  placed  him  in  care  of  Marine  Hospital  attendants. 

September  1923.  Stood  by  while  the  Seal  Rocks  swimming  races  were  held. 
April  19, 1924.  Patrolled  entrance  of  San  Francisco  Bay  to  prevent  smuggling  of  liquor. 
March  19,  1925.  Recovered  body  of  a  male  bather  and  attempted  resuscitation. 
April  7,  1925.  Disposed  of  a  dead  horse  that  was  on  the  rocks  near  Cliff  House. 
September  17,  1925.  Two  male  bathers  caught  in  undertow  and  drowned. 

March  20,  1927.  Rescued  man  who  attempted  to  cross  the  Golden  Gate  in  an  air- 
inflated  suit  and  was  swept  out  to  sea. 

December  6,  1929.  Stood  by  while  a  glider,  in  tow  of  plane,  crossed  Golden  Gate. 
Glider  crashed  on  Crissy  Field,  killing  occupant. 


150 


September  28,  1933.  Dragged  for  body  of  man  whose  clothing  was  found  with  a  note 
to  his  wife.24 

In  1914  work  began  on  the  construction  of  the  Panama-Pacific  International  Exposition 
grounds  in  the  lower  Presidio.  The  Fort  Point  Station  became  an  obstacle  to  the  exposition 
company's  plans  for  it  wished  to  construct  a  planked  auto  racetrack  that  would  involve  that 
same  site.  With  everyone's  agreement  the  company  moved  the  station  in  November  700  feet 
west  to  its  present  location.  It  cost  the  company  $19,000  to  install  a  new  steel  boat  launchway 
at  the  new  site.25 

An  army  officer,  writing  in  1919,  brought  an  early  notice  to  the  existence  of  a  large  men's 
quarters  at  the  station.  He  said  it  measured  about  fifty-five  feet  square  and  contained  two 
stories,  adding  there  were  also  quarters  for  the  "keeper"  and  several  other  small  buildings.26 
By  1920,  with  the  development  of  Crissy  Field  adjacent  to  the  station,  the  Air  Service  began 
a  campaign  to  have  the  station  moved  once  again.  Aircraft  taking  off  from  the  field  (because 
of  the  prevailing  wind,  planes  had  to  land  and  take  off  from  east  to  west)  had  either  to  gain 
altitude  to  get  over  the  Fort  Point  bluff,  160  feet  high,  or  make  a  right  turn  over  the  station 
buildings.  In  many  instances  the  aircraft  barely  cleared  the  buildings.  Estimated  cost  of 
moving  the  station  east  to  the  vicinity  of  the  Presidio  wharf,  $73,000.  Once  again  the  Coast 
Guard  was  willing  to  move,  but  it  had  no  funds  for  such.  Nor  was  Congress  willing  to  supply 
the  funds.  The  station  stayed;  the  aircraft  remained.27 

In  1940  the  Army  discovered  that  it  had  not  issued  a  permit  to  the  Coast  Guard  station  when 
it  moved  in  1914.  Hasty  paper  work,  that  included  the  station's  metes  and  bounds,  made 
everything  legal  on  August  17,  1940.28 

In  1952  the  station  felt  the  necessity  to  expand  its  facilities.  Demands  on  its  services  had 
greatly  increased  with  the  disestablishment  of  both  the  Golden  Gate  and  Point  Bonita  stations. 
It  considered  that  an  additional  area  150  feet  wide  and  extending  from  Marina  Drive  to  the 


24.  U.S.  Coast  Guard  Assistance  Reports,  Fort  Point  Station  323,  Roll  17,  Microfilm  919,  NA. 

25.  Todd,  The  Story  of  the  Exposition,  1:285. 

26.  Lt.  H.A.  Halverson,  October  8, 1919,  to  Department  Air  Service  Officer,  PSF,  Project  Files,  Airfields,  Army 
Air  Force,  RG  18,  NA. 

27.  Brig.  Gen.  R.C.  Marshall,  Washington,  May  10,  1920,  to  Director  of  Operations,  Project  Files,  Army  Air 
Force,  RG  18,  NA. 

28.  Col.  R.L.  Eichelberger,  PSF,  June  14,  1940,  to  CG,  Ninth  Corps  Area,  Records  of  USCG,  Real  Property 
Branch,  Twelfth  CG  District,  Alameda,  CA. 

151 


bay  would  be  sufficient  space  for  new  storage  and  shop  facilities.  The  Army  seems  to  have 
granted  the  request;  a  1957  site  plan  showed  a  storage  building  to  the  east  of  the  station 
building:  from  west  to  east  -  19.4  commander's  garage,  19.3  commander's  residence,  19.9 
station  building  with  boat  room,  19.1  storage  building,  19.15  shop  building,  and  an 
unnumbered  ammunition  storage.  The  marine  railroad  ran  from  three  boat  tracks  within  the 
station  building  and  converging  into  a  single  track  down  into  the  water.  A  buoy  shack  with 
a  latrine,  19.8  stood  on  the  end  of  the  pier.  The  plan  noted  that  the  three-story  station 
building  had  a  fourth  story  lookout.  Inside  the  men  maintained  a  little  museum  that 
contained  nameplates,  oars,  and  life  rings  from  local  wrecks.29 

The  Presidio's  Star  Presidian  ran  an  article  on  the  station  on  September  30,  1963.  It  noted  that 
the  crew  maintained  two  40-foot  speedboats  and  two  36-foot  motor  lifeboats.  They  supplied 
logistical  support  for  the  Mile  Rock  Light  Station,  Point  Blunt  Light  Station  on  Angel  Island, 
and  the  Alcatraz  Light  Station.  A  nasty  task  was  recovering  suicides  who  jumped  from  the 
Golden  Gate  Bridge.30 

In  August  1970,  the  Army  gave  permission  to  the  Coast  Guard  to  construct  a  "hangar"  at  the 
station  for  housing  two  experimental  air  cushion  vehicles  (ACVs  or  "Hovercraft").  This  permit 
also  involved  additional  pavement  for  parking,  an  approach  ramp,  flood  lights,  and  the 
conversion  of  the  paint  storage  building  into  an  electronics  shop.  By  1972  the  metal  hangar 
occupied  a  site  on  the  east  side  of  the  station.  A  survey  report  gave  a  capsule  of  the  station: 

Mission:  boating  safety,  search  and  rescue,  and  aids  to  navigation;  to  provide  one 
motor  lifeboat  and  one  air  cushion  vehicle  twenty-four  hours  a  day,  seven  days  a 
week  in  support  of  Coast  Guard  missions. 

Staffing:  three  (usually  only  one)  officer  and  twenty-five  men. 

Facilities:  two  44-foot  motor  lifeboats,  two  air  cushion  vehicles,  and  two  highway 
vehicles. 


29.  H.C.  Perkins,  Chief  of  Staff,  USCG,  January  2,  1952,  to  CG,  Sixth  U.S.  Army,  Records  of  USCG,  Real 
Property  Branch,  Twelfth  CG  District,  Alameda,  CA;  File  L-2,  Master  Plans,  DEH,  PSF. 

30.  Star  Presidian,  September  20,  1963. 

152 


limiiiil  Hill 


61.  Fort  Point  Coast  Guard  Station.  The  commander's  residence,  first  constructed  a  short  distance  away  in 

1889  and  moved  to  present  site  in  1914.  E.  Thompson,  1991 


62.  Fort  Point  Coast  Guard  Station,  1991.  E.  Thompson 


153 


SAN        FRANCISCO        BAY 
*SI°04' 


SCALE       l"=IOO' 
TREASURY  rcr-ARTMENT 

FORT  POINT  COAST  GUARD  STATION 

PRESIDIO    OF     o/.N     FR  A)HCI  SCO,  CALIFORNIA 
ii       ^E  P     60 


II  APR 


63.        Map,  Fort  Point  Coast  Guard  Station. 


154 


Buildings:  boathouse  SF  19,  electrical  repair  shop  SF  15,  engineer  "mtl"  shops  CGI, 
crew  berth/administration  office  CG2,  commander's  residence  CG3,  commander's 
garage  CG4,  ACV  hangar  CG6,  and  standby  generator  room  CG10.31 

The  station  came  under  attack  briefly  in  1973  when  a  newspaper  reporter  wrote  an  article, 
"Auto  Rules  on  Scenic  Beach,"  which  was  not  a  set  of  instructions  for  beach  driving,  but  autos 
over  people.  He  noted  that  the  Coast  Guard  maintained  its  buildings  flawlessly  but  tolerated 
a  broken  down  motor  pool  (the  enlisted  men's  parking  lot)  and  junk  on  the  beach  in  front  of 
the  station.  The  commander  quieted  the  situation  by  cleaning  up  the  beach  (so  that  the  Army 
could  remove  the  trash)  and  making  the  shore  more  accessible  to  the  public.32 

A  year  later  the  Coast  Guard  proposed  removing  the  remaining  portions  of  the  1914  marine 
railway  that  had  deteriorated  greatly  and  had  not  been  used  since  1959.  Following  an 
inspection,  California's  historic  preservation  officer,  William  Penn  Mott,  Jr.,  agreed  that 
removal  would  have  no  adverse  effect.  The  Advisory  Council  on  Historic  Preservation 
agreed.33 

When  the  station's  permit  came  up  for  renewal  in  1977,  the  changing  times  were  marked  by 
the  Army  Corps  of  Engineers  preparing  an  "Environmental  Impact  Assessment."  It  noted  that 
the  station  consisted  of  3.11  acres  of  land  and  1.8  acres  of  tide  and  submerged  land.  Its 
mission  remained  much  the  same:  search  and  rescue  operations,  maintenance  of  short  range 
aids  to  navigation,  and  recreational  boat  safety,  in  and  around  San  Francisco  Bay,  the  bay 
entrance,  and  the  coastal  waters  between  Bodega  Bay  and  Monterey.  The  Dutch  Colonial 
Revival  style  buildings  now  consisted  of:  main  building  8,100  square  feet,  garage/shop 
building  1,440  square  feet,  boatswain's  locker  500  square  feet,  two-story  house  2,100  square 
feet,  former  ACV  hangar  5,100  square  feet,  and  wooden  catwalk  315-foot  with  a  400  square 
foot  boathouse.  The  assessment  noted  that  public  access  had  been  provided  to  the  beach  via 
the  Golden  Gate  Promenade.34 


31.  Installation  Utilization  Survey  Report,  July  13,  1972;  Col.  John  L.  Fellows,  PSF,  August  17,  1970,  to 
Commander,  Twelfth  CG  District,  both  in  Records  of  the  USCG,  Real  Property  Branch,  Twelfth  CG  District, 
Alameda,  CA.  The  Coast  Guard  gave  up  the  air  cushion  boats,  which  could  do  seventy  knots,  in  1973. 

32.  San  Francisco  Sunday  Examiner  and  Chronicle,  January  21,  1973. 

33.  William  Penn  Mott,  Jr.,  August  26,  1974,  to  Lt.  Comdr.  E.G.  O'Keefe,  USCG,  Records  of  USCG,  Real 
Property  Branch,  Twelfth  CG  District,  Alameda,  CA. 

34.  "Environmental  Impact  Assessment,"  June  14, 1977,  Records  of  USCG,  Real  Property  Branch,  Twelfth  CG 
District,  Alameda,  CA.  The  assessment  erroneously  reported  that  the  station  had  been  listed  on  the  National 
Register  of  Historic  Places. 

155 


In  1984  the  U.S.  Coast  Guard,  by  then  within  the  U.S.  Department  of  Transportation,  informed 
the  Army  Engineers  that  it  was  designing  an  offshore  breakwater  and  a  new  pier  for  the  Fort 
Point  station.  It  hoped  to  complete  the  project  by  the  end  of  June  1987.  Because  of  this 
sizeable  investment,  it  asked  the  Army  if  the  revocable  permit  could  be  extended  for  longer 
than  the  usual  five  years.  But  the  future  began  to  take  over  the  present.  After  much 
negotiation  among  the  Army,  Coast  Guard,  and  National  Park  Service,  the  decision  was 
reached  that  U.S.  Coast  Guard  Station  323  would  move  to  East  Fort  Baker  in  Marin  County 
and  build  a  new  complex  of  buldings  there.  The  decision  resulted  in  a  detailed  real  property 
inventory  in  1986: 

CG2,  station  house,  wood  frame,  pre-1915[!],  four  stories,  administration,  mess, 
barracks,  and  gallery.  In  the  past  it  had  contained  a  boathouse.  Major  rehabilitation 
in  1983. 

CG3,  officer's  quarters,  wood  frame,  ca.  1890,  two  stories,  residence.  Recent 
rehabilitation. 

CG4,  officer's  garage,  wood  frame,  ca.  1890,  one  story.  Had  once  been  a  boathouse. 

CG6,  ACV  hangar,  metal  frame,  1970,  one  story,  now  engineering  shop,  tool  crib, 
workshop,  and  office,  condition  good. 

CGI,  carpenter  shop,  wood  frame,  ca.  1930s,  one-story,  carpenter  and  hobby  shops. 
CG15,  paint  locker,  wood  frame,  ca.  1930s,  one-story,  now  storage,  condition  fair. 
CG10,  emergency  generator  building,  wood  frame,  one  story,  condition  fair. 
CG19,  boat  house,  access  pier,  wood  deck  and  timber  piles,  condition  bad. 

CG20,  small  boat  dock,  wood  deck  and  timber  piles,  mooring  for  two-three  boats, 
condition  bad. 


CG12,  seawall  bulkhead,  concrete  1935,  shore  portion  fair. 


35 


File  P-4,  Master  Plans,  DEH,  PSF;  Commander,  Twelfth  CG  District,  August  31,  1984,  to  CO,  Sacramento 
District,  Army  Corps  of  Engineers,  Records  of  USCG,  Real  Property  Branch,  Twelfth  CG  district,  Alameda,  CA. 

156 


Once  the  announcement  of  the  transfer  became  public,  a  local  tug-of-war  developed.  The 
Army  announced  that  it  wanted  the  station's  buildings  for  guest  quarters  and  warehousing. 
The  officer's  residence  with  its  four  bedrooms  would  be  ideal  for  a  colonel  or  a  major.  The 
six  bedrooms  and  six  bathrooms  on  the  second  floor  of  the  station  building  would  make  great 
bachelor  officers'  quarters,  while  the  six  large  rooms,  without  latrines,  on  the  main  floor  could 
be  BOQs  for  "geographical  bachelors."  The  facilities  were  in  excellent  shape,  but  a  little  remote 
from  the  main  post.  Meanwhile,  the  National  Park  Service  had  concluded  that  the  station 
should  become  a  part  of  the  national  recreation  area  and  then  could  be  leased  to  the  Army. 
The  future  would  take  care  of  both  points  of  view.36 

On  April  18,  1990,  the  Officer  in  Charge  invited  the  public  to  attend  the  establishment 
ceremony  for  the  new  U.S.  Coast  Guard  Station  Golden  Gate,  East  Fort  Baker.  The  Officer  in 
Charge,  however,  continued  to  live  in  the  quarters  at  the  Fort  Point  Station,  while  the 
boathouse  became  a  park  rangers'  dormitory. 


D.         San  Francisco  National  Cemetery 

The  first  American  soldier's  death  at  the  Presidio  of  San  Francisco,  according  to  the 
post  returns,  occurred  in  1848  when  an  unnamed  soldier  was  laid  to  rest.  The  Army  located 
this  first  cemetery  near  the  laundresses'  quarters.  By  1854  another  permanent  site  had  been 
established  for  the  graveyard,  which  site  became  a  national  cemetery  in  1884.  In  1866  a 
lieutenant  complained  that  he  could  find  no  record  of  internment  at  the  post  and  only  a  few 
of  the  graves  had  headboards.  He  wrote  that  the  Civil  War  had  caused  turmoil  as  far  as 
records  were  concerned.  Although  the  Presidio  no  longer  used  the  cemetery  near  the 
laundresses'  quarters,  he  he  did  not  think  those  remains  should  be  moved  to  the  new 
cemetery.37 

Another  lieutenant  prepared  a  list  of  interments  at  the  Presidio  in  1879.  He  counted  a  total 
of  144  soldiers,  women,  and  children  who  had  been  buried  since  1854.38  Then,  in  1883  the 
post  quartermaster  confessed  that  he  found  the  past  system  of  numbering  the  graves  most 
confusing  but  he  was  attempting  to  make  some  order  out  of  it.  Perhaps  because  of  his  efforts 


36.  File  P-4,  Master  Plans,  DEH,  PSF;  San  Francisco  Chronicle,  June  2,  1986. 

37.  Lt.  Gales  Ramsay,  June  16,  1866,  to  QMG,  CCF,  OQMG,  RG  92,  NA.  Eventually  all  remains  discovered 
on  the  reservation  were  moved  to  the  national  cemetery,  the  unknown  remains  being  buried  in  the  plot  for  the 
Unknowns. 

38.  Lt.  G.L.  Anderson,  PSF,  July  18,  1879,  to  QMG,  CCF,  OQMG,  RG  92,  NA. 

157 


a  list  of  interments  he  prepared  in  1885  differed  completely  from  the  1879  listing.  He  showed 
181  burials.39 

In  1884  Secretary  of  War  Robert  T.  Lincoln  directed  the  War  Department  to  issue  General 
Orders  133  that  converted  the  post  cemetery  to  the  San  Francisco  National  Cemetery, 
encompassing  nine  and  one-half  acres,  the  first  such  cemetery  on  the  West  Coast.  A  later 
account  stated  that  the  cemetery  had  231  interments  on  that  date.  The  Army  began  collecting 
remains,  many  unknown,  from  abandoned  western  posts  and  battlefields  and  brought  them 
to  the  Presidio.  From  then  until  June  7,  1930,  the  Office  of  the  Quartermaster  General 
controlled  the  operation  and  maintenance  of  the  cemetery,  on  which  date  the  commanding 
general,  Ninth  Corps  Area  assumed  the  responsibilities.  The  national  cemetery  grew  steadily 
in  size  in  the  years  following  its  establishment: 

1896,  6.0  acres  added  (New  Addition) 
1919,  3.5  acres  added  (Section  A) 
1924,  2.034  acres  added  (Section  B) 
1928,  2.034  acres  added  (Section  C) 
1932,  5.124  acres  added  (Sections  D  and  E) 


By  1932  the  cemetery  had  grown  to  28.34  acres.40 


Major  Harts'  1907  report  on  the  beautification  of  the  Presidio  recorded  that  a  total  of  5,367 
bodies  had  been  buried  in  5,281  graves.  He  predicted  that  the  15'/2  acres  would  be  full  in  4'/2 
years.  Harts  considered  the  location  of  the  cemetery  to  be  unfortunate  and  he  did  not  favor 
an  extension  in  size.  But  if  it  were  extended,  he  thought  it  should  be  toward  the  southwest, 
which  eventually  came  to  be.41 

Although  changed  many  times  because  of  expansions,  stone  or  concrete  walls  protected  the 
cemetery  on  the  east,  south,  and  west.  Iron  fencing  and  gates  guarded  the  north  side's  main 
entrance.  The  1904  outline  description  stated  that  the  cemetery  had  a  V/z  story,  brick 


39.  Lt.  Clemont  L.  Best,  memorandum,  March  31,  1883,  Miscellaneous  Fortifications  File,  RG  776,  Division 
of  Cartography,  NA;  and  Best,  March  31,  1885,  to  Department  of  California,  CCF,  OQMG,  RG  92,  NA. 

40.  File  R-2  "Military  Reservations,  California,"  War  Department,  1940,  Master  Plans,  DEH,  PSF;  O.W.  Degen, 
"The  San  Francisco  National  Cemetery,"  (typescript,  ca.  1938);  Office  of  the  Judge  Advocate  General,  "Contracts 
and  Reservations,"  July  22,  1935.  In  1956  the  Army  seriously  considered  adding  twenty-five  more  acres,  then 
decided  against  the  idea. 

41.  Maj. ,  Depot  QM,  Statement  of  Funds,  San  Francisco  National  Cemetery,  General  Correspondence, 

1890-1914,  OQMG,  RG  92,  NA;  Harts,  Report,  1907. 

158 


residence,  outhouse,  and  a  storehouse.  A  photograph  taken  in  the  1920s  showed  the  brick 
Victorian  house  or  lodge  as  being  L-shaped  and  having  gable  roofs  with  cross  gables  and  a 
one-story  veranda.  The  quartermaster  recommended  in  1926  that  this  house  be  remodeled  to 
conform  to  the  general  scheme  in  the  area,  i.e.,  tile  roofing  and  stucco  walls,  that  a  concrete 
stable  replace  the  wood  frame  one,  and  that  a  concrete  rest  room  be  constructed.  These 
changes  eventually  came  about  making  a  marked  difference  in  the  appearance  of  the 
buildings.42 

The  cemetery  superintendent,  Charles  C.  Church,  who  did  not  get  along  well  with 
quartermaster  officers,  wrote  in  1928  that  the  cemetery  then  contained  8,937  known  dead  and 
510  unknown.  Only  one  Confederate  veteran  was  known  to  be  included,  Robert  Creighton, 
and  his  grave  marker  identified  him  as  a  chief  clerk,  Quartermaster  Department.  At  that  time 
only  two  monuments  had  been  placed,  the  Pacific  Garrison  Memorial  of  the  Regular  Army 
and  Navy  Union;  and  the  George  H.  Thomas  Post,  Grand  Army  of  the  Republic.  The 
following  year  saw  landscape  changes  with  the  removal  of  eucalyptus  and  cypress  trees  from 
a  new  addition,  and  resetting  the  422-foot-long  iron  picket  fence  along  the  north  side.  The 
iron  main  gates  were  taken  down  and  replaced  at  the  new  western  entrance. 

Capt.  J.R.R.  Hannoy,  OMC,  reported  in  1930  that  he  had  supervised  the  building  changes 
recommended  earlier:  alteration  of  the  lodge  (151)  so  as  to  change  it  from  a  two-story  to  a 
one-story  building,  "Spanish  Mission  style,"  and  construction  of  a  one-story  comfort  station 
(152)  and  a  garage  and  tool  house  (153),  both  of  hollow  tile,  tile  roof,  and  stucco  exterior.44 

A  pathologist  examined  the  cemetery's  vegetation  in  1931  noting  that  most  trees  were 
Monterey  cypresses  and  probably  planted  when  the  area  was  still  a  post  cemetery.  At  any 
rate  he  judged  them  to  be  in  good  condition.  Not  so  the  twelve  deciduous  oaks  nor  the 
viburnums  which  may  have  been  unsuited  to  the  climate.  A  large  number  of  shrubs  and 
young  trees  planted  in  the  cemetery's  front  section  in  1929  were  doing  quite  well.  He  found 
the  graves  themselves  in  poor  condition  -  dead  grass,  weeds,  and  insufficient  water.  He 
recommended  either  hiring  more  help  or  installing  a  stationary  sprinkling  system.  In  any  case 
an  experienced  gardener  should  be  employed.45 


42.  Col.  L.H.  Bash,  Fort  Mason,  September  17,  1926  to  QMG,  GCGF,  OQMG  1922-1935,  RG  92,  NA. 

43.  Charles  C.  Church,  November  26,  1928,  to  QM  Supply  Officer,  Fort  Mason;  Capt.  C.W.  Haney,  QMC, 
October  25,  1929,  Completion  Report,  both  in  GCGF  1922-1935,  OQMG,  RG  92,  NA. 

44.  Hannoy,  January  15,  1930  to  QMG,  GCGF  1922-1935,  OQMG,  RG  92,  NA. 

45.  Willis  W.  Wagener,  September  18,  1931,  Report  on  Vegetation,  GCGF  1922-1935,  OQMG,  RG  92,  NA. 

159 


FRANCISCO 


££Al£7/rAY 


-  1932. 


WAR 

MOTHERS 


G-.H,  THOMAS 

nor 


MAIM 


(A. 


Original  Boundary,  GO  133,  Hd.,  Army,  1884,  9.5  acres 

New  Addition,  GO  7,  Hd.,  Army,  1896,  6  acres 

Section  A,  Act  of  July  19,  1919,  3.5  acres 

Section  B,  Approved  by  Sect,  of  War,  1924,  2.034  acres 

Section  C,  Approved  by  Sect,  of  War,  1928,  2.034  acres 

Sections  D  and  E,  Approved  by  Sect,  of  War,  1932,  5.124  acres 


160 


The  new  iron  gates  for  the  main  entrance  arrived  in  1931.  Colonel  Hannoy  said  they  were 
well  constructed  and  an  appropriate  ornament  to  the  place.  The  public  too  commented 
favorably  on  them.  Indiana  limestone  formed  the  gate  posts  and  walls;  cut  limestone,  the  urns 
and  plaques.  The  gates,  made  of  genuine  wrought  iron,  displayed  ornamentation  representing 
branches  of  the  military.  The  two  contracts,  one  with  T.B.  Goodwin  (stone)  and  one  with 
Anchor  Post  Fence  Company  (metal)  cost  the  government  a  total  of  $7,350. 4 

The  American  War  Mothers  of  San  Francisco  received  permission  to  erect  their  own 
monument  in  the  national  cemetery  in  1934.  That  same  year  the  Quartermaster  General  gave 
permission  for  moving  the  Lincoln  Memorial  Tablet  from  a  wall  of  the  lodge  and  placing  it 
on  the  front  of  the  rostrum  in  the  memorial  area.  One  other  monument  in  1934,  that  of  the 
Unknown  Soldier,  a  large  rough-hewn  block  of  granite,  marked  the  burial  site  of  517 
unknowns  gathered  from  throughout  the  cemetery. 

A  strange  and  unusual  burial  took  place  at  the  national  cemetery  in  1936  when  the  remains 
of  seven  American  Naval  personnel  arrived  from  China  and  were  buried  "with  as  little 
publicity  as  possible."  They  had  died  many  years  earlier,  between  1872  and  1895.  Instructions 
came  down  not  to  talk  to  the  press  and,  because  so  much  time  had  passed,  no  effort  was 
made  to  contact  the  next  of  kin.48 

An  inspector  in  1939  brought  the  number  of  burials  to  16,918  known  and  510  unknown.  Space 
remained  for  1,759.  During  the  past  year  a  concrete  wall  had  been  constructed  along  the  south 
end  of  the  cemetery.  The  furor  of  World  War  II  caused  the  removal  of  the  national  cemetery's 
war  relics:  four  trench  mortars  and  three  field  pieces.  The  salvage  officer  extracted  a  little  over 
fifteen  tons  of  scrap  metal  from  them.  A  tremendous  storm  hit  in  1943,  ripping  out  150-foot 
trees  and  damaging  buildings,  water  lines,  sidewalks,  and  headstones.  Toward  the  end  of  the 
war  labor  became  exceedingly  scarce  and  the  Army  employed  the  Italian  Service  Unit  (former 


46.  Colonel  Hannoy,  June  11,  1931,  to  the  Adjutant  General,  GCGF  1922-1935,  OQMG,  RG  92,  NA;  and 
Hannoy,  Entrance  Gates,  Completion  Reports,  PSF,  1917-1919,  OQMG,  RG  92,  NA. 

47.  File  R-2,  Historical  Markers,  Master  Plans,  DEH,  PSF;  QMG,  April  17,  1934,  and  Lt.  Col.  J.H.  Laubach, 
January  10, 1934,  to  American  Monumental  Company,  San  Francisco,  both  in  GCGF  1922-1925,  OQMG,  RG  92,  NA. 

48.  P.S.  Rossiter,  Bureau  of  Medicine  and  Surgery,  U.S.  Navy,  February  20,  1936  to  Commandant,  Twelfth 
Naval  District,  GCGF  1936,  OQMG,  RG  92,  NA.  It  may  have  been  the  grave  marker  of  one  of  these  men  that  an 
irate  Spanish-American  War  veteran  spotted  one  day.  The  Chinese  characters  on  it  caused  him  to  write  an  angry 
letter  about  letting  foreigners  into  his  cemetery. 

161 


prisoners  of  war)  to  help  out.  A  lack  of  supervision  caused  these  men  to  be  somewhat  relaxed 
about  the  work.49 

Discussion  about  "moving"  the  San  Francisco  National  Cemetery  in  1955  caused  a  colonel  to 
write  that  national  cemeteries  were  permanent  installations  and  no  thought  existed  of  moving 
this  one.  Besides  a  move  would  cost  $5.6  million.  He  mentioned,  too,  that  when  the  Bay 
Bridge  was  being  built  the  Navy  removed  its  dead  from  its  Yerba  Buena  Island  cemetery  and 
brought  the  remains  to  the  national  cemetery.  Then  he  threw  in  the  comment  that  the  Army 
had  buried  the  230  bodies  it  had  found  on  the  Presidio,  bodies  believed  to  have  been 
Spaniards  and  Mexicans.50 

The  San  Francisco  National  Cemetery  was  closed,  at  least  on  paper,  with  the  opening  of  the 
Golden  Gate  National  Cemetery  in  San  Bruno.  Then,  in  1973,  President  Richard  M.  Nixon 
signed  the  National  Cemeteries  Act  that  transferred  eighty-two  of  the  eighty-four  national 
cemeteries,  including  San  Francisco,  from  the  Department  of  the  Army  to  the  Veterans 
Administration.51 

As  of  1990,  buildings  in  the  national  cemetery  include  the  superintendent's  residence  (151), 
built  before  1900  and  modified  in  1929,  the  former  mortuary  chapel  later  converted  to  an 
administrative  office  (150),  the  restroom  (152),  and  the  service  building  formerly  a  garage 
(154).  This  group  of  small  buildings  with  white  walls  and  tiled  roofs  and  with  scrolled  gables 
and  bulleye's  windows  exhibit  the  Mission  Revival  style. 


E.          Marine  Hospital  (U.S.  Public  Health  Service  Hospital) 
1.          The  Hospital 

In  1798  the  U.S.  Congress  established  "marine"  hospitals  free  of  costs  for  sick 
and  injured  merchant  seamen  from  all  nations  landing  in  American  ports  and  placed  the  U.S. 
Marine  Hospital  Service,  under  the  Treasury  Department,  in  charge  of  their  administration. 
The  first  marine  hospital  in  San  Francisco,  built  in  1853,  stood  on  the  waterfront  at  the 
intersection  of  Spear  and  Harrison  streets.  Shaken  by  earthquakes  this  structure  became 


49.  Supt.  C.  Keany,  October  13,  1942,  to  the  QM,  Ninth  Service  Command,  Fort  Douglas,  Utah;  Capt.  James 
T.  Jones,  December  10,  1943;  and  Col.  R.F.  Bartz,  June  9,  1945,  to  CG,  Army  Service  Forces,  GCGF  1935-1945, 
OQMG,  RG  92,  NA. 

50.  Col.  A.L.  Bivens,  QMC,  August  30,  1955,  to  G-4,  PSF,  PSF  Lands,  RG  338,  NA-San  Francisco. 

51.  Col.  G.W.  Hinman,  Jr.,  QMC,  July  26,  1948,  to  the  Department  of  State,  GCGF  1948,  OQMG,  RG  92,  NA; 
File  R-2,  Master  Plans,  DEH,  PSF. 

162 


unusable  by  the  early  1870s.  Congress  then  authorized  the  construction  of  a  new  hospital  on 
federal  land  in  the  vicinity  of  the  city  at  a  cost  of  $59,000.  Treasury  chose  a  site  on  Angel 
Island  only  to  be  informed  by  the  Army  that  the  location  was  needed  for  harbor  defenses.  The 
Army  was  agreeable,  however,  to  Treasury's  use  of  eighty-five  acres  in  the  southwest  corner 
of  the  Presidio  of  San  Francisco  west  of  Mountain  Lake.52 

On  January  24, 1874,  Secretary  of  War  William  Belknap  granted  a  revocable  lease  to  Treasury 
for  the  Presidio  land  and  by  1875  the  Marine  Hospital,  a  collection  of  wood  frame  buildings, 
stood  on  a  terrace  overlooking  Mountain  Lake.  For  several  years  the  Army  had  leased  acreage 
in  this  same  area  to  a  civilian  who  grew  vegetables  on  it  and  who,  in  return,  supplied  the 
troops  with  part  of  his  produce.  The  hospital  continued  this  practice  at  first  allowing  the 
lessee  to  cultivate  8.5  acres.  Eventually  the  Army  became  concerned  that  the  garden,  which 
had  grown  to  forty  acres,  and  the  hospital  stables  threatened  the  purity  of  the  Presidio's  water 
supply  and  asked  the  Hospital  Surgeon  to  discontinue  gardening.53 

In  1902  the  Marine  Hospital  Service  became  the  U.S.  Public  Health  Service,  still  under 
Treasury,  but  the  old  name  of  Marine  Hospital  remained  in  common  usage.  Five  years  later 
Maj.  William  Harts,  planning  the  Presidio's  future,  recommended  that  the  hospital  be 
removed  from  the  Presidio,  perhaps  to  Angel  Island.54 

By  1932  the  hospital  buildings,  almost  sixty  years  old,  had  become  overcrowded  and  their 
frame  construction  posed  a  constant  fire  hazard.  Treasury  concluded  to  tear  down  the 
buildings  and  construct  a  reinforced  concrete  hospital  building  immediately  to  the  west  on 
a  terrace  that  overlooked  the  city.  Three  buildings  from  that  first  hospital  survived  the 
change:  senior  enlisted  men's  quarters  (1807),  built  in  1920;  officer's  quarters  (1809),  built  in 
1920;  and  officer's  quarters  (1810),  built  in  1915.  The  old  hospital  cemetery,  in  which  no 
interments  had  been  made  for  many  years,  also  remained  north  of  the  hospital  proper. 

Along  with  the  new  1932  hospital  building  (1801),  a  maintenance  facility,  recreation  center, 
additional  quarters,  and  laboratories  comprised  the  new  complex.  A  bewildering  number  of 


52.  Sacramento  Engineer  District,  "Cultural  Resources  Inventory  Update,  Presidio  of  San  Francisco"  (1988) 
pp.  95-96;  "The  Army  at  the  Golden  Gate,"  p.  76. 

53.  Ibid.,  p.  96-97;  Daily  Alia  California,  February  21,  1874,  quoting  Belknap. 

54.  Harts,  Report,  1907,  pp.  86-87.  Public  Law  69-744,  dated  March  3,  1927,  returned  the  eighty-five  acre  of 
land  to  the  War  Department  but  transferred  thirty-five  acres  of  the  same  land  back  to  Treasury  for  hospital 
purposes.  This  law  contained  a  clause  that  the  title  would  revert  to  the  War  Department  whenever  the  tract  ceased 
to  be  of  use  for  the  marine  hospital. 

163 


164 


mum? 

nunm  m 

IHH 


66.  Marine  Hospital.  Main  building,  constructed  in  1932.  The  two  wings  were  more  recent  additions,  1952. 

E.  Thompson,  1991 


67.  Marine  Hospital.  Nurses'  Residence.  Built  1932.  Later,  army  offices.  E.  Thompson 


165 


agency  changes  occurred  during  the  following  years.  In  1939  the  marine  hospitals,  then  under 
the  Surgeon  General  of  the  Public  Health  Service,  became  part  of  the  Federal  Security  Agency. 
It,  in  turn,  was  succeeded  by  Health,  Education,  and  Welfare  (HEW)  which  then  became  the 
Department  of  Health  and  Human  Services  (HSS). 

The  main  hospital  building  received  a  major  addition  in  1952  when  two  large  wings,  added 
to  the  front  of  the  building,  extended  to  the  south,  compromising  the  original  structure's 
historical  integrity.  On  October  29,  1964,  the  Department  of  the  Army  transferred  1.99  acres 
to  the  hospital  in  order  to  create  more  of  a  buffer  zone  to  the  "plague  investigation  laboratory" 
that  stood  near  residential  structures  on  the  Presidio  itself. 

The  Department  of  Health,  Education,  and  Welfare  proposed  to  reduce  the  activities  of  the 
Public  Health  Service  in  1970  and  it  set  the  date  of  July  1973  for  closing  the  San  Francisco 
hospital.  At  that  time  the  hospital  provided  health  care  for  merchant  seamen,  U.S.  Coast 
Guard,  National  Oceanic  and  Atmospheric  Administration,  Native  Americans,  leprosy 
patients,  Southeast  Asians,  and  still  others.  Although  the  hospital  still  averaged  425  inpatients 
and  122,700  outpatients  monthly,  the  occupancy  rate  was  declining.  Also,  $13  million  would 
be  required  to  bring  the  building  up  to  code  if  it  continued  to  function.  On  learning  the  news 
of  closure,  the  AFL-CIO  Seafarers'  International  Union  protested  vigorously  and  there  the 
matter  rested  for  the  moment.55 

In  1974  the  Presidio  learned  that  HEW  was  contemplating  excessing  7.5  acres  of  the  hospital's 
land.  Alarmed,  it  quickly  notified  higher  headquarters  that  it  considered  that  acreage  to  be 
part  of  the  "Green  Belt"  open  space  and  buffer  zone  within  the  Presidio  complex. 
Traditionally,  it  had  always  been  an  integral  portion  of  the  Presidio  and  it  was  a  part  of  the 
land  that  the  Presidio  and  the  City  and  County  of  San  Francisco  had  both  agreed  would  not 
be  developed.  The  storm  blew  over;  the  land  remained  green.56 

But  time  was  running  out.  The  federal  government  announced  the  closure  of  the  hospital  in 
1981.  Congressman  Philip  Burton  immediately  protested.  The  San  Francisco  Examiner  ran  a 
headline  "Burtons  fight  Reagan  on  hospital."  The  article  continued  saying  that  the  now  242- 
bed  hospital  had  served  merchant  seaman  since  1853  and  there  were  still  4,600  admissions 
and  150,000  outpatients  yearly:  merchant  seaman,  Department  of  Defense,  Native  Americans, 


55.  San  Francisco  Chronicle,  December  17,  1970. 

56.  Commanding  Officer,  Presidio  of  San  Francisco,  October  4,  1974,  to  Commanding  Officer,  U.S.  Forces 
Commander,  Fort  McPherson,  Georgia. 

166 


Indochinese  refugees,  and  sufferers  from  Hansen  disease.57  But  the  federal  government's 
Omnibus  Budget  Reconciliation  Act  of  1981  (PL  97-35)  terminated  medical  benefits  for 
merchant  seamen  and  it  provided  for  the  closure  or  transfer  of  all  Public  Health  Service 
hospitals  and  clinics.  On  November  13, 1981,  the  Treasury  Department  transferred  the  thirty- 
five  acres  (but  not  the  1.99)  and  the  facilities  back  to  the  Department  of  the  Army.58 

Congress  also  directed  the  Department  of  the  Army  to  offer  a  ten-year  lease  of  the  hospital 
to  the  City  and  County  of  San  Francisco  for  the  treatment  of  AIDS  patients;  but  the  city  took 
no  action  to  implement  this  provision.  Meanwhile,  the  Army  contemplated  what  uses  it  might 
make  of  the  complex.  The  Presidio  concluded  that  it  could  well  use  the  twelve  sets  of  family 
housing  for  officers'  quarters  but  its  mission  requirements  could  not  justify  retention  of  the 
hospital  building.  Its  suggestion  that  Sixth  Army  might  be  interested  in  establishing  its 
headquarters  there  fell  on  deaf  ears.  The  commander  of  Letterman  Army  Medical  Center 
became  most  interested  in  retaining  the  hospital  for  medical  purposes.  Letterman's 
prepositioned  War  Reserve  stocks  were  inconveniently  stored  at  Fort  Baker.  The  hospital 
could  provide  ample  storage  space.  Also,  the  6253d  U.S.  Army  Hospital  (Reserve)  could  be 
relocated  from  Hamilton  Air  Force  Base  to  the  hospital. 

In  the  end,  the  Defense  Language  Institute  made  use  of  some  of  the  structures  while  its 
facilities  at  the  Presidio  of  Monterey  were  being  modernized.  Letterman  and  the  Presidio's 
Directorate  of  Engineering  and  Housing  employed  the  hospital  for  the  storage  of  mobilization 
stocks.  A  Chinese-American  International  School  subsequently  occupied  part  of  a  wing.59 


2.          The  Buildings 

Hospital  (1801).  The  seven-story  building  of  reinforced  concrete,  built  in  1932, 
has  a  rectangular  plan  with  three  wings  projecting  to  the  north.  It  possessed  a  Classical 
Revival  style  and  the  exterior  was  covered  with  a  light  beige  brick  veneer.  Red  tile  covers  the 
roof.  Nautical  and  medical  insignia  and  a  simple  entablature  embellish  the  front.  The  1952 
addition  to  the  front  of  the  building  consisted  of  two  large,  Modern  style  wings  extending 
southward  and  joined  by  a  one-story  covered  porch.  The  flat  roofs  were  covered  with  asphalt. 


57.  San  Francisco  Examiner,  April  27,  1981. 

58.  Richard  S.  Schweiker,  Secretary  of  Treasury,  November  13, 1981,  to  John  O.  Marsh,  Secretary  of  the  Army. 
Not  until  1984  did  the  1.99  acres  revert  to  Army,  allowing  it  to  construct  a  short  road  joining  the  Presidio's  road 
network  with  the  hospital's. 

59.  Col.  F.  Whitney  Hall,  Jr.,  PSF,  November  13,  1981,  to  U.S.  Army  Forces  Command,  fort  McPherson; 
Sacramento  Division  Engineer,  "Cultural  Resources  Inventory  Update,"  p.  98. 

167 


Maintenance  building  (1802).  This  rectangular,  single  story,  concrete  building  was  built  in 
1932.  Details  suggest  the  structure  came  into  being  in  two  phases.  The  western  end  contained 
a  steam  power  generator  with  an  eight-story  smoke /steam  stack.  Utilitarian  in  style. 

Recreation  center  (1805).  Built  in  1932,  the  V/2  story,  wood  frame,  rectangular  building's  front 
facade  had  a  center  pavilion  with  a  l'/2  story  temple-front  entrance  supported  by  four  wood 
classical  columns.  Built  in  a  Georgian  Revival  style,  the  building  was  compatible  with  the 
1932  hospital. 

Senior  enlisted  quarters  (1806).  Also  constructed  in  1932,  the  two-story,  concrete  structure  had 
a  rectangular  plan.  The  first  story  contained  eight  garages  and  the  second  floor,  the  quarters. 
Red  tile  covered  the  gable  roof. 

Senior  enlisted  quarters  (1807).  Built  in  1920,  before  the  present  hospital,  this  three-story, 
wood  frame  building  had  stuccoed  walls.  The  ground  level  at  the  rear  of  the  building  reached 
the  middle  of  the  first  story,  the  structure  having  been  built  into  a  hill.  Asphalt  tile  covered 
the  hipped  roof. 

Nurses'  quarters  (1808).  Imitating  Mount  Vernon,  a  favorite  prototype  for  the  Colonial  Revival 
style  of  the  Depression  era,  the  three-story,  rectangular  structure,  of  brick  and  wood 
construction,  had  a  red  tile  roof  and,  on  the  front,  three-story  Doric  columns.  The  Army 
converted  the  building  to  offices. 

Officers'  quarters  (1809  and  1810)  preceded  the  present  hospital,  1809  having  been  built  in 
1920,  and  1810  in  1915,  making  the  latter  the  oldest  building  in  the  complex.  Both  sets  housed 
a  single  family.  Officers  quarters  (1811  through  1815)  all  built  in  1932  as  duplexes  were 
Colonial  Revival  in  style,  with  stuccoed  walls,  gable  roofs,  and  semi-circular  lanettes  with  fan 
sash  in  the  attic  stories  on  the  gable  ends.  The  wooden  entrance  porches  had  curved  gable 
roofs  that  recalled  the  Regency  mode  of  the  Classical  Revival. 

Laboratories  (1818  and  1819).  These  two  structures  composed  the  Plague  Investigation 
Laboratory.  Removed  from  the  main  hospital  complex  the  one-story  structures  had  brick 
veneer  walls,  barred  windows,  and  flat  roofs.  Utilitarian  in  style,  they  too  were  constructed 
in  1932.  Nearby  stood  three  shed-like  buildings  (1820,  1821,and  1822)  whose  dates  of 
construction  have  not  been  determined.  Small  metal  doors  covered  the  entrances.  Signs  saying 
"Danger,  Contagious  Disease  Research"  identified  them  as  being  associated  with  the  labs. 


168 


To  the  north  of  the  main  hospital,  at  a  higher  elevation,  a  level  stretch  of  ground  originally 
served  as  a  cemetery  for  the  hospital.  Photographs  indicate  a  considerable  number  of  wooden 
grave  markers  said  to  have  dated  from  the  late  1800s.  Later  an  asphalt  parking  area  covered 
at  least  part  of  the  trapezoidal-shaped  cemetery.  Unmarked  graves  still  exist  in  the  area. 

F.          Fortifications60 

The  coastal  defenses  located  at  Fort  Winfield  Scott,  together  with  other  coastal  defenses 
at  San  Francisco  Bay,  constitute  one  of  the  best  and  most  extensive  museums  of  coast  defense 
architecture  and  engineering  to  be  found  in  North  America.  Collectively,  they  illustrate  the 
evolution  of  coastal  defenses  from  the  American  Third  system  (Fort  Point),  through  the  post 
Civil  War  developments  (East  Battery),  the  modernization  era  (1890-1905),  and  on  through 
World  Wars  I  and  II.  They  present  through  physical  evidence  the  introduction  of  such 
important  new  elements  as  artillery  fire  control  improvements,  submarine  mining,  and 
antiaircraft  defenses.  They  illustrate  the  types  of  emplacements  required  for  a  large  variety 
of  guns  and  mortars  between  1853  and  1946  -  from  pre-Civil  War  smoothbores  to  the  great 
12-inch  rifles. 

1.  Fort  Point 

The  U.S.  Army  fort  at  Fort  Point,  the  only  complete  brick-walled  American 
Third  System  fort  in  the  coastal  defenses  on  the  West  Coast,  contained  three  tiers  of  casemates 
that  had  embrasures  for  ninety  guns  and  a  barbette  tier  on  its  roof  having  thirty-six  gun 
emplacements.  The  fort  contained  magazines  and  living  quarters  as  well.  A  garrison  first 
occupied  the  fort  in  1861.  Although  the  improved  artillery  of  the  Civil  War  demonstrated  that 
masonry  forts  had  become  outmoded,  Fort  Point  continued  to  be  armed  for  a  time.  In  1882 
general  orders  named  the  fort  and  the  immediate  reservation  Fort  Winfield  Scott.  When 
coastal  searchlights  became  part  of  the  defenses,  about  1912,  a  60-inch  searchlight  was  placed 
on  the  barbette  tier.  Down  to  the  early  1920s,  the  fort's  quarters  continued  to  house  troops. 
In  World  War  II,  two  3-inch  guns  were  emplaced  on  the  barbette  tier  -  Batteries  Point  and 
Gate. 

2.  West  and  East  Batteries 

Following  the  Civil  War  army  engineers  remodeled  the  coastal  defenses  so  as 
to  enable  them  to  withstand  the  improved  rifled  artillery  that  came  out  of  the  war.  Engineers 
constructed  two  large  batteries  on  top  of  the  headlands  at  Fort  Point,  naming  them  East  and 


60.  This  section  is  based  on  Thompson,  Historic  Resource  Study,  Seacoast  Fortifications,  San  Francisco  Harbor, 

Golden  Gate  National  Recreation  Area  (Denver:  National  Park  Service,  n.d.).  Full  documentation  is  contained  therein. 
In  addition,  some  structures  associated  with  the  defenses  are  herein  listed. 

169 


Aerial  Photograph  of  Fort  Winfield  Scott,  1937. 

A.  Battery  Cranston,  two  10-inch  guns 

B.  Battery  Marcus  Miller,  three  10-inch  guns 

C.  Battery  Boutelle,  three  5-inch  guns 

D.  Battery  Godfrey,  three  12-inch  guns 

E.  Battery  Dynamite,  three  15-inch  guns 

F.  Battery  Saffold,  two  12-inch  guns 

G.  Battery  Crosby,  two  6-inch  guns 

H.  Battery  Chamberlin,  four  6-inch  guns 

I.  Batteries  Stotsenburg  and  McKinnon,  12-inch  mortars 

J.  Central  Reserve  Magazine 

K.  Formerly  Batteries  Howe  and  Wagner,  12-inch  mortars 

L  Mine  Depot 


68. 


Coastal  Defenses,  Fort  Winfield  Scott. 


170 


West  batteries.  Each  had  an  earthen  parapet  twenty  feet  thick.  An  earthen  traverse,  twenty 
feet  thick  stood  between  each  pair  of  15-inch  Rodman  guns.  Brick  and  concrete  ammunition 
magazines  were  placed  under  the  traverses.  Construction  of  West  Battery  on  the  bluff  south 
and  west  of  Fort  Point  began  in  1870.  By  1873  twelve  15-inch  Rodmans  stood  mounted.  Work 
on  East  battery  began  in  1873  and  was  still  underway  in  1876  when  Congress  refused  to 
appropriate  additional  fortification  funds.  Construction  of  modern  batteries  in  the  1890s 
almost  wholly  destroyed  West  Battery,  but  six  of  its  magazines  survived:  Magazine  1658  is 
located  on  the  left  flank  of  Battery  Boutelle.  Magazine  1647  is  incorporated  into  the  right  flank 
of  Battery  Godfrey.  Magazine  1646  is  located  on  the  left  flank  of  Battery  Godfrey.  The  other 
two  magazines,  1640  and  1643,  each  standing  by  itself,  are  found  to  the  south  of  Battery 
Godfrey.  They  probably  served  as  magazines  for  a  nearby  antiaircraft  battery  during  World 
War  II.  In  the  1890s  five  guns  were  mounted  in  East  Battery  while  the  modernization  of  the 
coastal  defenses  was  in  progress.  Today  much  more  of  this  battery  survives  than  its  western 
counterpart. 

3.          The  Modern  Era 

In  the  period  1890-1905,  sometimes  called  the  Endicott  era,  no  fewer  than 
seventeen  gun  and  mortar  batteries  became  part  of  Fort  Scott's  defenses.  All  were  large  affairs 
composed  of  massive  amounts  of  concrete  and  thick  earthen  parapets.  Their  magazines  and 
service  rooms  lay  buried  deep  under  the  firing  platforms  although  the  magazines  of  the 
mortar  batteries  were  on  the  same  level  as  the  weapons  but  protected  by  earthen  traverses. 
Subsequent  construction,  such  as  the  Golden  Gate  Bridge  approach  road,  has  destroyed  or 
seriously  impaired  five  of  the  batteries. 

Battery  Blaney  four  3-inch  guns  (635) 

Constructed  in  1901,  Battery  Blaney,  located  on  a  bluff,  above  Crissy  Field,  guarded  the 
harbor  inside  the  Golden  Gate.  Its  weapons  consisted  of  four  15-pounder,  3-inch,  rapid-fire 
guns.  It  was  the  first  battery  at  San  Francisco  to  have  its  major  concrete  elements  built  as 
separate  monoliths  to  guard  against  cracking  from  unequal  settling.  Named  in  honor  of  Lt. 
Daniel  Blaney  whom  the  British  killed  at  Fort  Oswego,  New  York,  in  1814,  it  had  its  guns 
mounted  on  balanced  pillar  mounts.  Engineers  dismounted  its  guns  after  World  War  I,  in 
1920  when  inner  harbor  defenses  became  less  important. 

Battery  Sherwood,  two  5-inch  guns  (636) 

Close  by  to  Blaney  stood  Battery  Sherwood  with  its  two  5-inch  rapid-fire  guns  mounted  on 
barbette  carriages,  pedestal  mounts.  Constructed  in  1900-1901  near  the  national  cemetery,  it 
was  named  in  honor  of  Lt.  Walter  Sherwood,  killed  in  action  in  a  battle  with  Florida's 


171 


Seminoles  in  1840.  Designed  to  cover  a  submarine  mine  field,  it  was  abandoned  about  1915 
when  the  mine  fields  moved  to  outside  the  Golden  Gate. 

Battery  Lancaster,  three  12-inch  guns  (998) 

Located  on  the  tip  of  the  bluff  above  the  old  masonry  fort,  Battery  Lancaster  mounted  three 
12-inch  rifles  on  disappearing  carriages  that  bore  on  the  Golden  Gate  itself.  Named  in  honor 
of  Lt.  Col.  James  M.  Lancaster  who  died  at  Fort  Monroe,  Virginia,  in  1900,  the  greater  part 
of  the  battery  was  destroyed  in  the  1930s  by  the  construction  of  the  Golden  Gate  Bridge. 
Remnants,  including  a  gun  emplacement,  may  be  seen  near  the  Toll  Plaza. 

Battery  Cranston,  two  10-inch  guns  (1661) 

Battery  Cranston  had  two  10-inch  guns  mounted  on  disappearing  carriages.  Constructed  in 
1897-1898,  it  was  named  in  honor  of  Lt.  Arthur  Cranston  who  lost  his  life  in  the  Lava  Beds 
of  northern  California  during  the  Modoc  War,  in  1873.  The  Golden  Gate  Bridge  Authority 
uses  the  battery  as  a  shop  and  storage  facility. 

Battery  Marcus  Miller,  three  10-inch  guns  (1660) 

Construction  of  Marcus  Miller  began  in  1891,  making  it  the  first  modern  battery  undertaken 
in  San  Francisco  defenses.  Completion  was  delayed,  however,  until  the  Ordnance  Department 
developed  a  satisfactory  disappearing  carriage.  Named  in  honor  of  an  artillery  officer,  Brig. 
Gen.  Marcus  Miller,  who  had  fought  in  the  Civil  War,  the  Modoc  War,  and  the  Nez  Perce 
War,  the  battery  acquired  its  three  guns  by  1897.  The  guns  were  dismounted  in  1920  when 
more  powerful  weapons  were  being  designed  for  harbor  defense. 

Battery  Boutelle,  three  5-inch  guns  (1651) 

Construction  of  this  battery  began  in  1898.  Located  south  of  Battery  Marcus  Miller  it  had 
three  5-inch,  rapid  fire  guns  mounted  on  balanced  pillar  mounts.  Named  in  honor  of  Lt. 
Henry  M.  Boutelle,  killed  in  action  near  Aliago,  Philippine  Islands  in  1899,  it  was  the  only 
battery  of  its  kind  south  of  the  Golden  Gate.  The  Engineers  removed  its  guns  during  World 
War  I  for  duty  elsewhere. 

Battery  Godfrey,  three  12-inch  guns  (1647) 

Excavation  for  this  large  battery  began  in  1892.  In  1895  the  first  platforms  for  a  12-inch  rifle 
anywhere  in  the  nation  came  into  completion  here.  Cable  from  streetcar  lines  and  old  streetcar 
rails  reinforced  the  concrete.  Named  in  honor  of  Capt.  George  J.  Godfrey,  killed  in  action  at 
Cavite,  Luzon,  Philippines,  in  1899,  Godfrey  became  the  first  of  the  modern  batteries  to  be 
completed  and  armed  in  San  Francisco's  defenses.  Its  guns  guarded  the  harbor  until  1943. 


172 


Battery  Crosby,  two  6-inch  guns  (1630) 

Completed  and  armed  by  1900,  Crosby  had  two  6-inch,  rapid-fire  rifles  mounted  on 
disappearing  carriages.  Named  in  honor  of  Lt.  Franklin  B.  Crosby,  killed  in  the  battle  of 
Chancellorsville,  Virginia,  in  1863,  this  battery  also  remained  in  service  until  1943. 

Battery  Lowell  Chamberlin,  four  6-inch  guns  (1621) 

The  last  of  the  modern  batteries  to  be  built  at  Fort  Winfield  Scott  Battery  Lowell  Chamberlin 
mounted  four  6-inch,  rapid-fire  guns  on  disappearing  carriages.  Constructed  between  1902 
and  1904,  it  was  named  in  honor  of  Capt.  Lowell  A.  Chamberlin,  a  Civil  War  veteran  who 
died  in  1899.  The  four  guns  were  dismounted  in  1917  but,  in  1920  engineers  modified  two 
emplacements  to  receive  6-inch  guns  on  barbette  (nondisappearing)  carriages.  These  two  guns 
remained  in  service  until  after  World  War  II  and  the  end  of  the  traditional  coast  defenses.  In 
1976  the  National  Park  Service  mounted  a  6-inch  gun  on  a  disappearing  carriage  in 
emplacement  4. 

Battery  Saffold,  two  12-inch  guns  (1354) 

Construction  of  this  battery  of  two  12-inch  guns  mounted  on  barbette  carriages  began  in  1896 
and  the  guns  were  mounted  by  the  end  of  1897.  A  unique  characteristic  of  Safford  was  that 
its  guns  could  fire  both  seaward  and  into  San  Francisco  Bay.  Named  in  honor  of  Capt  Marion 
M.  Saffold  who,  along  with  Godfrey  above,  died  in  action  at  Cavite,  Philippine  Islands,  its 
guns  were  dismounted  in  1943. 

Batteries  Stotsenburg  and  William  McKinnon  (1430) 

Constructed  as  one  battery  in  1897,  the  work  consisted  of  four  pits  in  a  straight  line,  each  pit 
having  four  12-inch,  rifled,  breech-loaded  mortars.  Magazines  and  service  rooms  stood 
between  the  pits  and  were  covered  with  earthen  traverses.  Called  Mortar  Battery  2  while 
under  construction,  it  was  formally  named  in  honor  of  Capt.  John  M.  Stotsenburg,  killed  at 
Tingua,  Luzon,  Philippine  Islands,  in  1899.  Later,  the  number  of  mortars  was  reduced  to  eight 
and  the  battery  divided  for  more  efficient  operation.  Pits  C  and  D  became  Battery  William 
McKinnon  in  honor  of  Chaplain  McKinnon  who  served  with  distinction  in  the  Spanish- 
American  War  and  the  Filipino  Insurrection. 

Batteries  Howe  and  Arthur  Wagner  (1287) 

This  work,  too,  began  as  one  battery  of  sixteen  12-inch  rifled  mortars.  It  too  became  divided 
in  two.  At  first  named  in  honor  of  Col.  Albion  P.  Howe,  a  veteran  of  both  the  Mexican  and 
Civil  wars  who  died  in  1897,  the  two  western  pits  were  named  after  the  division  in  honor  of 
Col.  Arthur  L.  Wagner,  Military  Secretary  of  the  Army,  who  served  with  distinction  during 
the  war  with  Spain  and  who  died  in  1905.  Unlike  the  straight  line  of  Batteries  Stotsenburg 

173 


and  McKinnon,  these  batteries  were  built  in  the  shape  of  a  cross  with  a  pit  in  each  quarter. 
The  weapons  were  dismounted  in  1920.  At  some  later  date,  the  Army  buried  three  of  the  four 
mortar  pits  under  an  artificial  hill  probably  because  Fort  Scott's  family  quarters  surrounded 
it.  An  entrance  through  the  one  remaining  mortar  pit  leads  to  former  magazine  and  service 
rooms. 

Batteries  Slaughter  and  Baldwin 

Battery  Slaughter  consisted  of  three  8-inch  rifles  mounted  on  disappearing  carriages.  Located 
near  the  national  cemetery  for  the  defense  of  the  inner  harbor,  it  was  destroyed  or  buried 
during  construction  of  the  Golden  Gate  Bridge  approach  road.  One  small  corner  of  concrete 
may  be  seen  on  the  side  of  the  highway.  Battery  Baldwin,  two  3-inch,  rapid-fire  guns  on 
balanced  pillar  mounts  nearby,  has  also  been  removed. 

Antiaircraft  Battery 

The  Army  selected  a  site  for  two  3-inch  antiaircraft  guns  on  the  left  flank  of  Battery  Godfrey 
in  1920  and  constructed  two  concrete  plugs  for  mounting  the  guns.  This  and  two  other 
antiaircraft  batteries  became  the  first  such  in  the  harbor  defenses  of  San  Francisco.  These  guns 
were  moved  to  Fort  Funston  in  1925.  By  1937  two  similar  weapons  were  mounted  on  the 
same  plugs  and  named  AA  Battery  No.  3.  These  two  weapons  were  moved  to  Fort  Cronkhite 
in  1939.  The  plugs  remain.  (It  is  believed  that  mobile  3-inch  antiaircraft  guns  were  emplaced 
at  both  Fort  Scott  and  the  Presidio  of  San  Francisco  immediately  after  the  attack  on  Pearl 
Harbor.) 

Submarine  Mine  Depot 

Controlled,  electrically-fired  submarine  mines  (then  called  torpedoes)  were  introduced  to  San 
Francisco's  harbor  defenses  in  1884.  Between  1907  and  1910  the  Army  constructed  a  mine 
depot  at  Fort  Winfield  Scott  on  the  bay  shore  east  of  Fort  Point.  The  depot  consisted  of  a 
wharf,  a  tramway  leading  from  the  buildings  to  the  wharf,  a  cable  tank  building,  a  mine 
storehouse,  two  loading  rooms,  and  two  explosives  rooms.  Of  these,  the  cable  tank  building 
has  been  demolished. 

Mine  Wharf  (984). 

This  wharf,  completely  rebuilt  in  1941,  measured  210  feet  by  60  feet  and  had  an  approach  of 

328  feet  by  20  feet.  It  had  a  capacity  of  one  mine  planter  vessel. 

Mine  Storehouse  (979). 

This  structure,  originally  50  feet  by  30  feet  in  size,  was  later  lengthened  to  150  feet. 

Galvanized  iron  walls  on  a  steel  frame,  it  contained  two  storerooms,  a  testing  tank,  and  a 


174 


traveling  crane  with  a  3,000-pound  capacity  and  a  triplex  block  having  a  two-ton  capacity. 
The  building  stored  all  the  material  for  eleven  groups  of  mines.  In  1990  it  served  as  a  shop 
building. 

Loading  rooms  (985  and  986) 

Each  room  measured  24  feet  by  46  feet  and  each  had  a  traveling  crane  with  a  one-ton  capacity 
and  a  triplex  block  with  a  two-ton  capacity  for  moving  the  mines  in  and  out.  Each  also  had 
a  testing  tank  measuring  5  feet  by  33  feet.  Two  mines  could  be  loaded  with  explosives 
simultaneously  in  each  room.  The  walls  of  the  buildings  consisted  of  galvanized  iron  on  a 
wooden  frame.  The  testing  tanks  have  been  filled  with  concrete  and  the  buildings  have 
become  NFS  maintenance  facilities. 

Explosive  rooms  (987) 

The  two  structures  share  one  building  number.  The  small,  8  feet  by  9/2  feet,  buildings  had 
galvanized  iron  walls  on  a  wood  frame.  By  1945  explosives  for  the  mines  were  stored 
elsewhere,  possibly  in  the  magazines  of  some  abandoned  battery.  In  1945  one  of  these  rooms 
stored  fuses  for  mines.  These  early  1900s  explosives  rooms  have  been  converted  to  restrooms. 

By  1915,  the  mine  depot  was  considered  to  be  inadequate  -  too  small  and  the  wharf  was 
subjected  to  heavy  swell  and  undertows.  Nevertheless  the  facility  remained  and  in  the  1937 
defense  project  for  San  Francisco,  it  became  the  assembly  plant  for  the  Main  Channel 
minefield.  During  World  War  II  the  depot  served  as  a  mine  assembly  plant. 

Mine  Casemates  I  and  II  (1600  and  1601) 

Both  casemates,  from  where  electrical  signals  were  sent  to  explode  the  submarine  mines, 
stood  on  Baker  Beach  overlooking  the  Pacific  Ocean  and  controlled  one  of  the  minefields 
planted  outside  the  Golden  Gate.  Casemate  I,  a  concrete  structure  built  in  1912,  measured  24 
feet  by  56  feet.  It  stood  200  feet  inland  from  high  tide  and  an  earthen  embankment  hid  it  from 
the  sea.  In  World  War  I  the  structure  was  strengthened  by  the  addition  of  concrete  over  the 
roof  and  the  walls.  It  served  in  the  harbor  defenses  until  World  War  II  until  1943,  when  the 
larger  Casemate  II  replaced  it. 

Mining  Casemate  II,  situated  a  little  farther  inland  in  1943  was  a  double  casemate  that 
contained  the  equipment  to  operate  two  minefields  -  Mines  II  in  the  Main  Channel,  and 
Mines  III  in  the  South  Channel.  It  retains  some  of  its  original  equipment  including  control 
panels  and  equipment  for  removing  poison  gases  from  the  air  and  contaminated  personnel. 


175 


69.  Submarine  mine  loading  buildings,  Fort  Winfield  Scott.  Structure  nearest  the  camera  was  a  flammable 

material  storehouse  of  uncertain  origins.  E.  Thompson 


Fire  Control  Stations 

Several  artillery  fire  control  stations  remain  at  Fort  Winfield  Scott.  At  the  tip  of  the  bluff  at 
Fort  Point,  west  of  the  approach  to  the  Golden  Gate  Bridge,  are  four  or  five  dug-in,  reinforced 
concrete  structures  partially  camouflaged  by  earth  and  rock.  They  appear  to  date  from  before 
World  War  II  but  saw  service  during  the  war.  In  the  postwar  plans  two  were  retained,  one 
for  Battery  Lowell  Chamberlin  and  one  for  Mines  II.  Three  have  been  assigned  numbers:  1662, 
1663,  and  1664. 

A  large,  two-room,  concrete  fire  control  station  (1344)  stands  just  off  Washington  Boulevard 
and  adjacent  to  the  West  Coast  Memorial.  Before  World  War  II  it  served  as  the  harbor  defense 
station  but  its  wartime  role  remains  unknown.  The  walls  are  partly  protected  by  earthen 
embankments  but  the  structure  does  not  now  possess  any  overhead  protection  from  enemy 
fire. 


176 


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177 


Another  large,  two-room,  concrete  fire  control  station  (1644)  stands  south  of  Battery  Godfrey. 
Its  specific  function  remains  unknown. 

Because  of  the  high  cliffs  at  San  Francisco,  fire  control  stations  were  usually  dug-in  affairs  and 
towers  were  not  required  as  they  often  were  on  the  East  Coast.  Nonetheless,  a  concrete,  two- 
story  tower  (1665)  was  built  on  the  left  flank  of  Battery  Lancaster  for  signaling  purposes  with 
defenses  on  the  Marin  Headlands. 

Battery  Dynamite  1399 

The  Army  did  not  choose  to  have  this  type  of  weapon,  a  pneumatic  gun  that  fired  charges 
of  dynamite  by  means  of  compressed  air.  But  the  U.S.  Congress  appropriated  funds  for 
mounting  a  three-gun  battery  at  Fort  Scott  in  1895.  At  the  time  of  the  Spanish-American  War, 
army  engineers  constructed  huge  earth  and  concrete  traverses  around  the  guns  for  their 
protection.  The  Army  remained  skeptical  of  the  weapons  and  the  guns  were  sold  in  1904. 
During  World  War  II  Dynamite  Battery  served  as  the  Harbor  Defense  Command  Post  (HDCP) 
and  the  Harbor  Entrance  Control  Post  (HECP)  for  San  Francisco  Harbor  Defenses.  At  the 
outbreak  of  the  war  the  HDCP  stood  eighteen  feet  above  the  battery's  emplacement  1. 
Measuring  37  feet  by  87  feet  it  proved  too  small  for  the  joint  Army  and  Navy  operating 
personnel.  In  early  1944  a  two-story  structure  built  on  top  of  the  parapet  in  front  of  gun 
emplacements  2  and  3  replaced  it.  The  impressive  complex  remains  and  until  recently  the 
Presidio  considered  converting  it  into  an  alternate  emergency  operations  center  having  a 
capacity  of  120  personnel.  Immediately  east  of  the  battery  is  its  original  powerhouse  (1398), 
which  contains  an  original  switchboard  for  routing  power  to  the  gun  emplacements. 

Other  Structures 

In  the  vicinity  of  the  mine  depot  in  the  lower  Presidio  are  several  structures  that  may  have 
a  relation  with  the  harbor  defenses  or  with  the  Engineers  who  built  the  batteries.  In  any  case, 
more  research  is  required  on  the  origins  and  functions  of  the  following  structures: 

Signal  Cable  Hut  (946),  Ordnance  Storage  (948),  Warehouse  983,  Guardhouse  (988), 
and  an  Engineer's  Plumbing  Shop  (989).  It  is  possible  that  the  Engineers  had  the 
warehouse  (983)  and  the  plumbing  shop  (989)  here  inasmuch  as  they  had  a  number 
of  facilities  in  this  area  ever  since  the  1850s. 

On  the  Fort  Scott  plateau,  east  of  the  batteries  and  Lincoln  Boulevard  stood  a  number  of 
structures  directly  associated  with  the  coastal  defenses  having  served  as  maintenance,  repair, 
and  storage  facilities: 


178 


Ordnance  repair  shop  (1339),  built  in  1900. 
Ordnance  repair  shop  (1355),  built  in  1942. 
Ordnance  repair  shop  (1357),  built  in  1940. 
Ordnance  storage  building  (1340),  built  in  1917. 
Ordnance  shop  (1363),  built  in  1911. 
Searchlight  repair  shop  (1353),  built  in  1939. 

4.          Nike  Missiles 

About  1957  construction  began  on  batteries  for  Nike  surface-to-air  missiles.  Of 
the  five  batteries  built  within  today's  Golden  Gate  National  Recreation  Area,  one  was  located 
in  south  Winfield  Scott,  near  the  Marine  Hospital.  This  battery,  named  Battery  Caulfield  (the 
only  missile  battery  given  a  personal  name),  was  numbered  SF-89-L.  In  1971  B  Battery,  4th 
Missile  Battalion  had  established  its  operation  in  the  air  defense  administration  building 
(1648)  immediately  behind  old  Battery  Godfrey,  as  were  the  headquarters  of  the  1st  Missile 
Battalion  (NIKE  HERCULES),  250th  Artillery,  California  National  Guard. 

The  40th  Artillery  Brigade,  in  command  of  all  Nike  installations  in  the  Bay  Area,  established 
its  headquarters  in  Fort  Scott's  headquarters  building  (1201).  Other  Fort  Scott  structures 
occupied  by  Nike  organizations  included: 

barracks  1218  -  headquarters  battery  barracks 

quartermaster  storehouse  1219  -  personnel 

1221  -  motor  pool  office 

quartermaster  shop  1227  -  search  maintenance  radar 

Battery  Saffold  1354  -  communications  equipment 

Eventually  all  Nike  sites  in  the  Bay  Area  and  elsewhere  in  the  nation  became  abandoned 
when  intercontinental  ballistic  missile  (ICBM)  systems  were  deployed  by  both  the  United 
States  and  the  Soviet  Union.  At  the  same  time,  the  United  States  began  a  major  program  in 
the  research  and  development  of  a  defense  system  against  attack  by  ballistic  missiles.  ICBMs 
fired  from  Vandenberg  Air  Force  Base  in  California  were  intercepted  by  advanced  Nike 
missiles  (the  Nike-Zeus)  at  Kwajalein  Atoll  in  the  Pacific's  Marshall  Islands.  In  1965  an 
advanced  version  of  the  defensive  missile,  named  the  Spartan,  replaced  the  Nike-Zeus.  In 
recent  times  this  program  has  been  nicknamed  "Star  Wars,"  and  in  1991  President  George 


179 


Bush  endorsed  the  development  of  a  ground-based  missile  defense  system  that  could  shoot 
down  .99  percent  of  200  incoming  warheads. 


G.         Early  Water  System 

An  employee  in  the  Quartermaster  Department,  Fort  Mason,  O.W.  Degen  published 
a  two-part  article  on  the  history  of  the  Presidio  of  San  Francisco's  water  supply.62  He  began 
with  a  brief  description  of  the  Spanish  period  giving  El  Polin  Spring  a  different  location  than 
today's  site.  The  Spanish  first  obtained  fresh  water  from  a  spring  in  front  of  Infantry  Terrace. 
In  1910  an  old  tunnel  was  found  on  that  site.  Apparently  the  supply  was  insufficient  because 
additional  water  came  from  a  spring  in  West  Cantonment  due  north  of  the  Julius  Kahn 
Playground  (El  Polin  Spring).  Degen  also  described  a  spring  with  Indian  lore  attached  to  it 
at  the  Rancho  De  Ojo  de  Agua  de  Figuroa.  It  emerged  near  the  intersection  of  Lyon  and 
Vallejo  streets.63  (For  some  reason  now  unknown  he  named  this  spring  "Polin".) 

In  the  early  American  period,  1853,  the  Mountain  Lake  Water  Company  formed  for  the 
purpose  of  obtaining  water  from  Mountain  Lake.  The  company  soon  failed,  however,  and  the 
project  came  to  an  end.  Before  long  a  new  company,  the  San  Francisco  City  Water  Works  (San 
Francisco  Water  Company)  appeared  on  the  scene,  in  1857.  It  acquired  part  of  the  Lobos 
Creek  Ranch  and  changed  its  name  to  Spring  Valley  Water  Works.  It  proposed  to  take  water 
from  Lobos  Creek,  formerly  called  Arroyo  del  Puerto,  rather  than  the  lake.  It  constructed  a 
wooden  plank  flume  following  the  cliffs  along  the  ocean  shore  to  Fort  Point.  At  the  fort  it 
built  a  short  tunnel  behind  the  counterscarp  battery.  From  there  the  flume  continued  on 
hanging  to  the  bluff  to  where  Crissy  Field  headquarters  later  stood.  At  that  point  the  flume 
changed  to  a  twenty-six-inch  cement  pipe  that  ran  along  the  south  side  of  Crissy  Field  "to 
near  the  present  PX." 

There  the  War  Department  installed  a  small  pumping  plant  and  the  water  was  pumped  to 
two  army  reservoirs,  438,000  gallons  and  70,000  gallons.  These  were  located  "in  front  of  the 


61.  Gale,  "Reference  History,"  pp.  21-22;  File  0-2,  Air  Defense  Site  Numbers,  Master  Plans,  DEH,  PSF.  Erwin 
N.  Thompson,  Pacific  Ocean  Engineers,  History  of  the  U.S.  Army  Corps  of  Engineers  in  the  Pacific,  3905-1980  (n.d.,  n.p.), 
pp.  265-280  and  361-364;  U.S.  News  and  World  Report,  Oct.  7,  1991. 

62.  O.W.  Degen,  "Development  of  the  San  Francisco  Water  Supply  System;  Part  I  -  Original  Sources,"  "Supply 
System;  Part  II  -  Spring  Valley  Co."  unidentified  newspaper  clippings  (other  material  in  the  same  file  dated  1930s), 
GCGF  1922-1935,  OQMG,  RG  92,  NA. 

63.  An  officer,  writing  in  1887,  said  the  Presidio  had  a  windmill  pumping  water  from  a  pond  or  catchment 
basin  near  the  southeast  corner  of  the  reservation,  i.e.,  close  to  Lyon  and  Vallejo.  Lt.  J.S.  Oyster,  December  29, 1887, 
to  Quartermaster,  Department  of  California,  CCF  OQMG,  RG  92,  NA. 

180 


commanding  officers'  quarters"  but  were  filled  in  and  abandoned.  Spring  Valley  water 
continued  on  to  a  pump  house  at  the  foot  of  Van  Ness  Street.64 

Prior  to  Spring  Valley  Water  Works  (or  Company)  making  use  of  Lobos  Creek  it  had  executed 
an  agreement  on  April  30,  1857  with  the  Presidio  inasmuch  as  the  federal  government 
claimed  the  creek  as  being  within  the  reservation.  In  1862  it  requested  a  similar  agreement 
concerning  the  water  of  Mountain  Lake.  While  surprised  that  the  company  did  not  already 
have  permission,  the  War  Department  was  only  too  happy  to  grant  it.65 

An  1870  description  of  the  Presidio  described  the  supply  of  water  as  abundant  and  of 
excellent  quality.  A  windmill  and  mule-power  forced  from  the  Spring  Valley  flume  into  a 
reservoir  at  the  south  end  of  the  post,  then  by  pipe  to  the  various  buildings.  This  same 
description  reappeared  in  an  1875  report.  It  is  somewhat  surprising  then  to  read  in  an  1872 
report  that  the  post  was  supplied  with  water  by  water  wagons  and  by  a  pipe  from  the 
"Tunnel  Spring,"  2,000  feet  from  a  reservoir.66 

An  army  engineer  report  in  1877  described  the  Lobos  Creek  as  supplying  the  Spring  Valley 
Company  with  2  million  gallons  daily  and  that  the  creek  drained  about  2'/2  square  miles  of 
sandy  land.  The  part  wood  and  part  masonry  flume  ran  from  the  creek  to  Fort  Mason,  a 
distance  of  23,700  feet.67 

Lt.  Joseph  S.  Oyster,  regimental  quartermaster  of  the  1st  Artillery  prepared  a  comprehensive 
study  of  the  Presidio's  water  supply  in  1887.  His  principal  conclusion  stated  that  the  water 
supply  should  come  completely  under  government  control.  He  said  that  water  still  came  from 
the  company's  flume  by  means  of  a  steam  pump  and  forced  through  2,600  feet  of  six-inch 
pipe  to  the  reservoir  at  the  south  end  of  the  post.  Water  for  Fort  Point,  however,  came  from 
a  spring  on  the  hillside  southeast  of  the  fort  and  from  a  reservoir  on  Telegraph  (Rob)  Hill. 
This  water  came  from  the  Spring  Valley  flume  via  two  windmills  and  it  also  supplied  the 
national  cemetery.  When  the  windmills  broke  down,  which  was  often,  water  wagons  from 
the  Presidio  had  to  supply  Fort  Point.  Two  other  windmills  on  the  reservation,  one  near  the 
southeast  corner  and  one  near  the  1st  Avenue  (Arguello)  entrance,  supplied  water  for 


64.  Degen,  "Development  of  Water  Supply." 

65.  Col.  Joseph  G.  Totten,  War  Department,  December  11,  1962,  to  Col.  R.E.  DeRussy,  San  Francisco,  Letters 
to  Officers  of  Engineer  No.  34,  OCE,  RG  77,  NA. 

66.  War  Department,  Circular  4,  a  Report  on  Barracks  and  Hospitals  (1870),  p.  445;  Circular  (1875),  pp.  579- 
520;  and  Quartermaster  General's  Office,  Outline  Descriptions  of  U.S.  Military  Posts  and  Stations  (1872),  p.  93. 

67.  Maj.  George  H.  Mendell,  Report  ...  on  the  Water  Supply  of  San  Francisco  (1877),  p.  98. 

181 


sprinkling  roads  and  for  irrigation  purposes.  In  addition  to  the  government  getting  control 
of  the  supply,  Oyster  recommended  acquiring  new  pumping  machinery  and  constructing  a 
large  reservoir  on  Telegraph  Hill  that  could  supply  all  the  Presidio,  and  the  digging  of 
wells."68 

Oyster's  recommendations  bore  fruit  in  1894  when  the  Spring  Valley  Water  Company 
informed  the  Army  that  it  was  abandoning  the  "Lobos  Creek  water  System."  That  same  year 
the  Army  installed  a  practically  new  system  at  a  cost  of  $51,100.8  A  1904  description  reported 
that  the  water  from  wells  at  Mountain  Lake  was  of  good  quality,  although  the  Presidio  had 
also  made  connections  with  the  Spring  Valley  "mains."  Ten  wells  had  been  dug  and  they 
supplied  13,100  gallons  per  hour.  Pumps  carried  water  to  the  engineers'  reservoir  for 
constructing  fortifications  and  such  troops  that  were  there.  Another  pump  supplied  water 
from  Mountain  Lake  for  fire  and  sprinkling  purposes,  including  the  general  hospital.  An 
artesian  well,  delivering  about  100  gallons  per  hour,  supplied  the  quartermaster  mule  stable, 
while  the  transient  public  animal  corrals  obtained  their  water  from  the  post  reservoir.  The 
post  also  supplied,  via  government  steamer,  to  Fort  Baker,  Angel  Island,  and  for  the  transport 
tug  Slocum.  The  daily  capacity  of  the  government  plant  had  been  156,100  gallons  for  domestic 
and  74,100  gallons  for  fire  and  sprinkling  purposes.  Since  this  was  insufficient  for  all  needs, 
it  had  become  necessary  to  connect  with  the  city  main  permanently. 

After  listing  the  machinery  at  the  government  pumping  plant,  the  report  described  the 
various  reservoirs: 

one  cement  and  brick,  capacity  438,000  gallons,  elevation  60  feet, 
one  cement,  capacity  112,000  gallons,  elevation  60  feet. 

At  Fort  Point: 

one  cement,  capacity  140,000  gallons,  elevation  246  feet  (1469) 
one  cement,  capacity  80,000  gallons,  elevation  100  feet.69 

Between  1910  and  1912  the  Army  constructed  a  new  pumping  plant  at  the  mouth  of  Lobos 
Creek  (and  sold  off  the  old  plant  at  Mountain  Lake)  and  a  new  six  million-gallon  reservoir 
(313)  on  Presidio  Hill.  The  new  system  supplied  water  to  all  the  Presidio  except  East 
Cantonment,  to  Forts  Winfield  Scott  and  Mason,  the  army  transports  and  docks,  to  Alcatraz 


68.  Oyster,  December  29,  887,  to  Department  of  California,  CCF,  PSF,  OQMG,  RG  92,  NA. 

69.  War  Department,  Outline  Description  of  Military  Posts  and  Reservation  (1904),  pp.  382-383. 

182 


and  Angel  islands,  and  to  Fort  Baker.  During  the  second  quarter  of  1912  the  plant  produced 
95,350,000  gallons.  Still,  the  Spring  Valley  Water  Company  supplied  an  additional  2.6  million 
gallons.70 

The  new  water  system  consisted  of  a  one  million  gallon  reservoir  (1770)  at  Lobos  Creek,  water 
.valve  house  (1771),  water  filtration  plant  (1773),  two  water  treatment  plants  (1776  and  1779), 
water  setting  tank  (1778),  residence  for  a  civilian  (1781)  and  a  two-car  garage  (1782).  Adjacent 
to  the  big  reservoir  on  Presidio  Hill  (313),  there  stood  a  valve  house  (310)  and  a  pump  house 
(311).  On  the  south  side  of  the  golf  course,  a  pump  house  (315)  served  the  post's  water 
system. 

In  1931  the  supply  of  water  from  Lobos  Creek  decreased  to  the  point  where  Ninth  Corps  Area 
instituted  rationing.  A  debate  ensued  wherein  the  Presidio  wished  to  connect  with  the  City 
of  San  Francisco's  water  mains  whereas  the  Quartermaster  General  said  that  a  "third  shaft" 
at  Lobos  Creek  might  be  a  better  answer.  While  additional  wells  (1783  in  1939,  1789  in  1935) 
were  drilled,  the  water  supply  recovered  by  itself.  In  1933  the  Presidio  supplied  water  to  the 
Marine  Hospital,  Fort  Scott,  Fort  Mason,  Fort  McDowell,  Alcatraz,  National  Cemetery, 
Letterman,  Ninth  Corps  Area  headquarters,  Crissy  Field,  Transport  Service,  and  harbor  boats. 


70.  J.B.    Aleshire,    Quartermaster   General,    August   22,    1912,    to    Chief   of   Staff,    U.S.    Army,    General 

Correspondence  1890-1914,  OQMG,  RG  92,  NA. 

183 


CHAPTER  9:  THE  LEGACY 


When  Maj.  James  A.  Hardie  took  command  of  the  Presidio  of  San  Francisco  in  1847,  he  could 
not  have  known  that  the  post,  then  a  small  collection  of  crumbling  adobes  sheltered  by  sand 
hills,  was  destined  to  play  a  significant  role  in  the  nation's  military  history.  The  military 
occupation  of  northern  California  proceeded  peacefully  but  the  almost  simultaneous  events 
of  a  peace  treaty  with  Mexico  and  the  discovery  of  gold  in  California  in  1848  almost  brought 
the  Presidio  to  a  premature  close.  Volunteer  soldiers  deserted  in  droves  for  the  mine  fields 
or  were  mustered  out  of  the  service  and  the  regular  troops  who  replaced  them  also  caught 
gold  fever.  When  the  year  1848  ended,  the  garrison's  strength  stood  at  thirteen  enlisted  men. 

Slowly  the  Presidio's  strength  increased  and  in  the  1850s  the  troops  played  an  active  role  in 
Indian  affairs  not  only  in  California  but  in  the  wars  of  the  Pacific  Northwest.  Also  in  that 
decade  army  engineers  began  the  construction  of  Fort  Point,  the  only  complete  masonry 
American  Third  System  fort  in  the  coastal  defenses  of  the  West  Coast.  Fort  Point  marked  the 
beginning  of  the  Presidio's  key  role  in  the  defenses  of  strategic  San  Francisco  Bay  from  the 
Civil  War,  through  the  war  with  Spain,  and  two  world  wars,  to  the  missile  era  a  century  later. 

The  Civil  War,  1861-1865,  brought  a  burst  of  activity  on  the  reservation.  The  garrison  strength 
climbed  to  more  than  1,700  officers  and  men.  Officers'  quarters,  barracks,  a  hospital,  powder 
magazine,  chapel,  and  other  buildings  framed  the  parade  ground.  Many  of  these  structures 
remain.  While  no  enemy  stormed  the  beaches,  the  Presidio,  along  with  Alcatraz  Island, 
maintained  the  peace  in  northern  California  and  stood  prepared  to  defend  California's  gold 
for  the  Union  treasuries. 

In  the  postwar  years  army  engineers  constructed  massive,  new  batteries  on  the  Presidio's 
headlands.  The  1870s  saw  the  post's  artillery  batteries  marching  off  to  engage  in  more  Indian 
campaigns,  including  the  Nez  Perce  War,  the  Bannock  War,  the  Great  Sioux  War,  and  the 
disastrous  (for  both  the  Army  and  the  Indians)  Modoc  War.  At  home,  the  U.S.  Treasury 
Department  had  a  Marine  Hospital  constructed  on  the  Presidio  in  1875  to  care  for  sick  and 
injured  merchant  seamen  from  all  nations  who  landed  in  American  ports.  It  performed  its 
mission  of  mercy  for  over  a  century,  finally  closing  its  doors  in  1981.  The  Presidio  held  a 
massive  celebration  in  1876  on  the  occasion  of  the  nation's  centennial  birthday.  More  than 
100,000  spectators  gathered  on  its  hills  to  watch  military  and  naval  drills  and  maneuvers. 

The  post's  importance  grew  significantly  in  1878  when  the  Military  Division  of  the  Pacific, 
Maj.  Gen.  Irvin  McDowell  commanding,  moved  its  headquarters  from  downtown  San 

185 


Francisco  to  the  Presidio.  For  the  next  eight  years  it  served  as  the  nerve  center  for  all 
operations  on  the  West  Coast.  Congress's  refusal  to  appropriate  funds  for  a  suitable 
headquarters  building  eventually  forced  the  division  to  return  to  the  city. 

In  1884  the  Presidio's  post  cemetery  became  the  San  Francisco  National  Cemetery,  containing 
the  graves  of  the  known  and  unknown  of  all  ranks.  For  one  hundred  years,  1890-1990,  the 
Fort  Point  Life  Saving  Station  in  the  lower  Presidio  carried  out  its  mission  of  promoting 
boating  safety,  search  and  rescue,  and  aids  to  navigation.  In  the  latter  year  the  U.S.  Coast 
Guard  moved  the  operation  to  a  new  station  across  the  bay  at  Fort  Baker. 

By  1890  the  last  of  the  Indian  wars  were  fought  and  the  frontier  declared  closed.  The  U.S. 
Army  closed  down  its  many  small,  remote  posts  in  the  West  and  built  up  fewer  but  larger 
permanent  installations,  including  the  Presidio.  Between  1890  and  1910,  the  garrison's 
strength  increased  fourfold.  Beginning  in  the  1890s,  the  Presidio's  cavalry  troops  assumed 
responsibility  of  protecting  Yosemite  and  Sequoia  national  parks. 

Beautification  of  the  reservation  began  in  the  1880s  with  the  planting  of  a  forest  on  the  ridges 
and  in  the  western  part  of  the  reservation.  At  the  turn  of  the  century,  the  U.S.  Department 
of  Agriculture  was  invited  to  have  its  experts  assist  in  further  beautification  work  on  the 
reservation,  already  famous  for  its  magnificent  vistas  of  the  coastal  headlands  and  the  Pacific 
Ocean. 

Beginning  in  the  1890s,  the  Army  undertook  a  vast  program  to  modernize  the  coastal 
defenses  of  the  nation's  harbors.  At  San  Francisco  there  emerged  a  new  system  of  defense  that 
included  rifled  guns  and  mortars  and  the  facilities  for  planting  submarine  minefields. 
Engineers  constructed  these  new  works  on  both  sides  of  the  Golden  Gate  including  the 
Presidio  where  no  fewer  than  eighteen  batteries  crowned  the  heights.  Fort  Winfield  Scott  in 
the  western  portion  of  the  reservation  became  a  separate  coast  artillery  post  in  1912.  By  the 
eve  of  World  War  II  it  housed  the  headquarters  for  all  the  Harbor  Defenses  of  San  Francisco. 

In  1898  the  United  States  went  to  war  with  Spain.  The  Presidio  became  an  assembly  area  for 
thousands  of  volunteers  and  regulars  who  embarked  for  duty  in  the  Philippine  Islands.  Later, 
it  served  for  a  time  as  the  demobilization  point  for  returning  veterans  and  for  the  training  of 
recruit  replacements  for  Hawaii  and  the  Philippines.  This  increase  in  troop  activity  resulted 
in  the  Army  establishing  Letterman  General  Hospital,  one  of  the  more  important  army 
hospitals  in  the  system.  In  World  War  II  it  became  the  debarkation  hospital  for  the  Pacific 
Ocean.  In  1945  no  fewer  than  72,000  wounded  and  sick  patients  passed  through  its  doors. 


186 


Early  in  the  twentieth  century  two  men  prepared  plans  for  the  further  development  of  the 
Presidio:  the  much  respected  architect  Daniel  H.  Burnham,  and  army  engineer  Maj.  William 
W.  Harts.  While  the  plans  of  neither  were  fully  implemented,  both  influenced  future 
developments  including  Mission  Revival  architecture  in  place  of  standard  army  plans, 
landscaped  drives  such  as  the  Park-Presidio  Boulevard,  and  a  graceful  layout  of  buildings 
along  contour  lines  in  place  of  the  traditional  straight  lines  encompassing  a  parade. 

All  such  plans  came  to  a  temporary  halt  in  1906  when  a  large  earthquake  hit  San  Francisco. 
Little  damaged,  the  Presidio  swiftly  became  the  headquarters  for  the  relief  of  the  stricken  city. 
Soldiers  patrolled  the  burning  streets  and  guarded  the  city  treasury.  Refugee  camps  sprang 
up  on  the  reservation.  Letterman  opened  its  doors  to  the  injured. 

In  1915  the  Panama-Pacific  International  Exposition  thrilled  visitors  to  San  Francisco's 
waterfront.  A  portion  of  the  exposition  stood  on  the  Presidio's  low  land  facing  the  bay.  This 
area,  long  the  site  of  swamps,  ponds,  and  tidal  water,  became  firm,  dry  land  by  dredging  and 
filling.  War  in  Europe  brought  the  exposition  to  an  early  close  and  when  the  United  States 
entered  World  War  I  in  1917,  this  area  became  a  mobilization  camp  called  North  Cantonment. 
Even  before  then,  in  1914,  Brig.  Gen.  John  J.  Pershing  had  organized  and  trained  the  Eighth 
Infantry  Brigade  at  the  Presidio  for  duty  on  the  Mexican  border  and  the  subsequent  Mexican 
Punitive  Expedition. 

The  Army's  headquarters  for  the  Pacific  Slope,  now  called  the  Ninth  Corps  Area  and 
commanded  by  Maj.  Gen.  Hunter  Liggett,  returned  to  the  Presidio  from  San  Francisco  in  1920, 
this  time  with  the  intention  to  stay.  It  established  its  offices  in  an  imposing,  concrete,  three- 
story  barracks  on  the  main  parade.  A  year  later  the  Army  Air  Service  established  Crissy  Field 
in  the  lower  Presidio,  the  first  and  only  air  defense  station  on  the  West  Coast.  For  the  next 
fifteen  years  Crissy  Field  assisted  the  Coast  Artillery  Corps  in  the  training  of  its  companies 
in  target  practice.  It  also  assisted  in  the  origins  of  the  U.S.  Air  Mail  Service,  carried  out  aerial 
forest  fire  patrols,  successfully  handled  aerial  photographic  assignments,  promoted  an  interest 
in  aviation  on  the  West  Coast,  and  participated  in  community  activities. 

During  the  Great  Depression  of  the  1930s,  the  Works  Progress  Administration  contributed 
substantially  to  both  the  Presidio  and  Fort  Winfield  Scott,  constructing  new  buildings  such 
as  the  War  Department  theater  and  bringing  the  road  systems  up  to  standard.  The  Ninth 
Corps  Area  also  assumed  administrative  and  supply  support  for  the  Civilian  Conservation 
Corps  camps  in  the  western  states.  Construction  of  the  Golden  Gate  Bridge  and  its  approach 
roads  during  this  decade  also  impacted  the  military  reservation,  usually  benefitting  it  with 


187 


the  construction  of  new  facilities,  such  as  the  central  reserve  ammunition  magazine  at  Fort 
Scott. 

The  Japanese  attack  on  Pearl  Harbor  naval  base  in  Hawaii  resulted  in  the  establishment  of 
the  Western  Defense  Command  at  the  Presidio.  During  the  months  following  the  attack  the 
possibility  of  an  enemy  force  landing  on  the  West  Coast  or  Alaska  seemed  possible  and  the 
Presidio  played  a  key  role  in  organizing  a  defense.  Although  the  fear  of  invasion  lessened 
after  the  U.S.  Navy's  victory  at  the  Battle  of  Midway  in  June  1942,  the  Western  Defense 
Command  remained  on  the  alert  for  the  duration  of  the  war. 

With  the  coming  of  peace,  the  Presidio  became  the  headquarters  of  the  Sixth  U.S.  Army. 
Among  its  early  commanders  were  such  outstanding  wartime  leaders  as  Gen.  Joseph  W. 
Stilwell,  Gen.  Mark  W.  Clark,  and  Gen.  Albert  C.  Wedemeyer.  Its  responsibilities  included 
providing  defense  for  the  western  United  States  and  the  training  of  ROTC,  National  Guard, 
and  Army  Reserve  units  throughout  the  far  west.  By  the  end  of  the  1950s,  the  Presidio 
employed  about  10,000  people,  both  military  and  civilian.  In  addition  to  Sixth  Army 
headquarters  the  Presidio  itself  became  a  part  of  the  network  of  combat-ready  army 
installations  under  the  U.S.  Forces  Command. 

Postwar  construction  brought  significant  improvement  in  housing  for  the  post's  military 
families.  Recreational  activities  expanded  with  the  construction  of  clubs,  a  gymnasium,  golf 
course  improvements,  library,  and  bowling  alleys.  Letterman  expanded  into  new  facilities  and 
became  the  Letterman  Army  Medical  Center.  Associated  with  the  hospital  but  in  separate 
facilities,  the  Letterman  Army  Institute  of  Research  specialized  in  such  work  as  researching 
in  the  fields  of  artificial  blood,  laser  surgery,  and  resuscitation. 

In  1989  the  U.S.  Congress  approved  a  report  that  had  recommended  the  closure  of  the 
Presidio  of  San  Francisco,  thus  paving  the  way  for  the  grand  old  post  to  become  part  of  the 
National  Park  System.  Spain  had  founded  the  presidio  in  1776.  Mexico  surrendered  it  in  1848. 
The  U.S.  Army  had  occupied  it  since  1847,  more  than  140  years  of  national  expansion, 
through  large  and  small  wars,  and  the  evolution  of  military  science  from  smoothbore  guns 
to  guided  missiles.  More  than  eighty  years  ago  Major  Harts  wrote  that  the  Presidio  possessed 
great  natural  beauty  and  that  probably  no  other  military  post  in  all  the  world  had  a  more 
magnificent  location  and  commanding  position.  And  so  it  is  described  in  the  year  of  1990. 


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APPENDIX  A 


Chronology:  Geography,  Events,  and  Structures,  1847-1990 

This  appendix  has  been  prepared  at  the  request  of  planners  in  order  to  present  a  chronology  of 
developments  at  the  various  sub-areas  of  the  Presidio  of  San  Francisco.  Some  data  have  been  included 
that  go  beyond  the  prescribed  scope  of  the  special  history  study. 


Presidio  of  San  Francisco  &  Fort  Winfield  Scott 

July  1846.  Captain  Fremont  spiked  guns  at  the  Castillo. 

July  1846.  Lieutenant  Misroon,  U.S.  Navy,  raised  the  Stars  and  Stripes  over  the  Castillo  and  visited  the 
presidio. 

March  1847.  New  York  Volunteers  occupied  the  presidio. 

May  1848.  Volunteer  troops  repaired  the  Castillo.  Guns  mounted  by  1849. 

May  9,  1848.  Volunteer  troops  worked  on  the  road  between  the  presidio  and  the  Castillo. 

May  16,  1848.  Lt.  W.H.  Warner  began  to  survey  the  military  reservation. 

July  1,  1848.  Lieutenant  Kimball,  New  York  Volunteers,  recorded  in  his  diary  that  he  killed  a  coyote 
when  going  into  San  Francisco. 

July  22,  1848.  Kimball  went  hunting.  Killed  four  quail  and  two  rabbits.  He  did  not  say  where. 

July  1849.  Post  returns  recorded  the  death  of  an  enlisted  man.  Another  death  accidental,  was  noted  in 
October. 

1850.  The  commanding  officer,  Capt.  Erasmus  D.  Keyes,  placed  a  cannon  at  the  southeast  corner  of  the 
reservation  and  placed  fencing  on  a  line  running  to  the  bay  and  parallel  to  "Larkin"  Street. 

May  16,  1850.  Alta  California  newspaper.  Described  a  ride  to  the  Presidio.  Hills  were  covered  with 
verdure  and  wild  flowers,  road  was  good,  and  strawberries  grew  in  the  vicinity  of  the  post. 

May  26, 1852.  Inspector  General  G.A.  McCall  inspected.  He  counted  12  horses,  16  mules,  and  2  wagons. 
He  noted  that  lumber,  fuel,  and  water  was  hauled  to  the  post.  Wood  cutters  had  to  travel  from  one- 
quarter  mile  to  one  mile  from  the  post  to  gather  wood  for  fuel.  Adobe  composed  the  buildings  and 
the  post  had  no  hospital,  but  it  had  a  hospital  steward.  Artillery  consisted  of  two  6  pounder  field  guns 
and  two  12-pounder  howitzers. 

July  1,  1852.  Capt.  Edward  D.  Townsend,  a  division  of  staff  officer,  visited  the  Presidio.  He  described 
the  country  as  dirty,  sandy,  and  mean.  At  the  old  Mexican  breastwork  at  the  point  he  picked  and 
pressed  "lupine"  and  "escolehia"  (Eschscholtzia  californica,  California  poppy). 

September  15, 1853.  U.S.  engineers  "removed"  the  Spanish /Mexican  castillo  at  Fort  Point,  dismounting 
the  American  artillery. 

January  1,  1854.  Wind  blew  the  roof  off  the  adobe  barracks  and  broke  window  glass. 

191 


May  8,  1854.  Division  headquarters  ordered  construction  of  a  barracks,  116  feet  long,  two  stories,  and 
a  kitchen  added  to  the  mess  room  in  the  adobe  officers'  quarters. 

May  10,  1854.  Reference  to  infantry  drill,  skirmishing  training,  and  artillery  drill  -  parade  ground? 
Hospital  established  in  an  adobe  on  north  side  of  compound.  Structure  was  a  magazine  in  Mexican 
era.  Nevertheless,  the  building  should  be  leveled. 

March  15, 1855.  Officers'  quarters,  1,  adobe,  six  rooms,  occupied  by  two  officers  and  an  officers'  mess. 
(At  least  two  other  officers  lived  in  San  Francisco  -  post  surgeon  and  depot  quartermaster.) 

Barracks,  2,  frame,  two  stories,  four  barrack  rooms,  two  messrooms,  two  kitchens. 

Adobe,  3,  formerly  the  barracks,  105  feet  by  20  feet,  six  rooms.  Now:  guard  room,  prison, 
clothing  room,  two  laundresses'  quarters,  quartermaster  storeroom. 

Adobe,  4,  60  feet  by  20  feet.  Hospital  in  part. 

Adobe,  5,  one  corner  used  as  a  stable,  20  feet  by  20  feet. 

March  7,  1857.  Adobe  officers'  quarters,  A.  Frame  barracks,  B.  Adobe,  C.  same  as  in  1855  except 
married  men  replaced  the  laundresses,  also  a  carpenter  and  blacksmith  shop  added.  Hospital,  D,  frame, 
recently  erected.  Adobe  E,  stable.  Adobe  F,  laundress.  Adobe,  G,  stable  and  laundress.  Subsistence 
storehouse,  I.  Adobe,  H,  bakery  and  latrine.  A  proposal  to  enlarge  the  grounds,  both  east  and  west, 
and  north  to  the  bluffs. 

Herds  of  cattle  illegally  grazing  on  the  reservation.  Recommendation  to  fence  the  reserve  on  east  and 
south  where  necessary. 

June  30,  1861.  Post  commander  recommended  "destruction  of  all  buildings  at  the  Post." 
Five  officers  living  in  officers'  quarters,  i.e.  one  room  each  and  the  mess  room. 

February  28,  1861.  Permission  to  build  a  house  at  the  terminus  of  the  Presidio  stage  route  and  inside 
the  military  reservation  rescinded. 

July  21,  1861.  Visitors  from  San  Diego  landed  at  Fort  Point  wharf  to  inspect  the  new  fort.  Great  views 
from  the  parapet.  Center  of  fort  was  sodded  and  adorned  with  flowers. 

August  13,  1861.  Presidio  turned  two  of  its  field  guns  over  to  Fort  Point. 

Civil  War.  Temporary  camps  for  Volunteers:  Two  of  them,  Camp  Sumner  and  Camp  Wright,  were 
adjacent  to  the  Presidio. 

March  15,  1862.  A  grazing  lease  that  the  Presidio  had  let  a  year  ago  ran  out.  A  new  lease  was 
prepared. 

November  8,  1864.  Troops  from  Presidio  and  Fort  Point  assembled  at  Fort  Point  wharf  to  take  vessel 
to  the  city,  if  trouble  during  the  national  elections. 

June  30,  1865.  Inspection  of  public  buildings: 


192 


Built  before  July  1,  1864: 

13  frame  officers'  quarters  with  12  kitchens 

13  frame  barracks 

1  frame  adjutant's  office 

1  frame  guardhouse 

1  frame  storehouse 

1  frame  bakehouse 

9  frame  laundresses'  quarters  with  6  kitchens 

1  stone  magazine 

1  frame  gunshed 

4  frame  stables 

1  frame  hospital 

Built  since  July  1,  1864: 

4  two-story  barracks,  frame 

2  frame  laundresses'  quarters  with  6  kitchens 
1  frame  mule  shed 

Still  under  construction  June  30,  1865 

1  frame  bachelor  officers'  quarters  with  4  kitchens. 

October  23,  1868.  Orders  given  to  dig  for  the  cannon  that  marked  the  southeast  corner  of  the 
reservation.  It  had  been  planted  in  1850. 

1870.  Presidio  described:  grass  covered  hills;  well  drained  with  shallow  ditches  around  buildings; 
grassy  parade  grounds  a  wind  fence  or  lath  lattice  screen  extended  the  whole  length  of  officers'  row, 
12  feet  high,  and  36  feet  in  front  of  the  buildings;  pines  and  acacias  planted  at  18-foot  intervals  between 
fence  and  quarters. 

ca.  1870.  A  present-day  account  filed  in  Master  Plans,  DEH,  PSF  (Box  38.1,  Shelf  1-2)  says  that  circa 
1870  a  well,  three  feet  in  diameter  and  ten  feet  deep,  and  about  six  feet  east  of  the  stream  had  been 
dug  at  El  Polin.  The  article  has  additional  data  and  a  map. 

1870.  The  post  hospital  had  a  cow  and  a  small  garden. 

1872.  Description:  country  hilly;  soil  sandy;  where  sheltered,  all  kinds  of  vegetables  could  be  raised; 
timber  and  water  scarce. 

1875.  Surgeon's  description  offered  little  new  detail:  parade  ground  grassy  all  year;  post  built  on  three 
sides  of  a  parallelogram,  550  yards  by  150  yards,  picket  fence  in  rear  (east)  of  officers'  row  and  picket 
fence  in  rear  (west)  of  barracks  row. 

July  13,  1876.  The  road  in  front  of  the  adjutant's  office  and  the  guardhouse  had  earlier  been  planked. 
This  planking  was  now  worn  out.  New  planking  needed  because  the  guard  mount  took  place  here. 

July  4,  1876.  Eucalyptus  tree  planted  on  parade  ground  to  commemorate  the  Centennial  of  the 
American  Revolution. 

March  10,  1877.  Lumber  on  hand  to  replace  rotten  walk  way  in  front  of  (west)  of  officers'  row. 

193 


July  22,  1877.  Street  cars  came  to  within  a  half  mile  of  the  reservation  fence. 
A  coal  bin  constructed,  capacity  1,800  tons. 

1877.  Description  of  Spring  Valley  Water  System.  The  company  had  three  sources  of  water,  of  which 
Lobos  Creek  was  nearest.  Lobos  supplied  2  million  gallons  daily.  It  drains  2/2  square  miles  of  sandy 
land.  Water  was  carried  in  a  conduit,  partly  wood  and  partly  masonry,  23,700  feet  long,  from  the  creek 
to  Fort  Mason. 

1879.  Division  of  the  Pacific  moved  from  San  Francisco  to  the  Presidio.  Officers'  row  remodeled. 
Division  headquarters  was  set  up  in  two  barracks  and  their  kitchens. 

December  26,  1880.  Commanding  officer  took  a  four-mile  evening  walk,  "The  road  lies  wholly  in  the 
Reservation  and  winds  around  the  hills,  one  moment  commanding  a  view  of  the  next  looking  off  on 
the  grand  Pacific." 

August  19,  1884.  Newspaper  describes  Presidio.  Grounds  finely  laid  out,  excellent  promenades.  Cable 
and  steam  cars  run  past  Harbor  View  to  the  Presidio  entrance.  From  car  depot  a  broad  avenue  leads 
up  to  the  battery  section,  thence  around  the  shops,  stables,  and  storehouses  in  one  direction  and  to  the 
parade  ground  in  another.  Number  of  mortars  and  field  pieces  on  parade  ground.  Residences  have 
shade  trees  and  flowers.  Long  rows  of  half-buried  cannon  balls.  On  Sundays  the  Presidio  army  band 
plays  at  the  Seaside  Gardens. 

January  24,  1881.  A  quarry  was  opened  on  Telegraph  Hill. 

August  3,  1884.  Alia  California:  Carts  hauled  material  from  a  quarry  on  the  hillside  to  fill  in  a  ravine 
[behind  barracks  row]  thus  interfering  with  cavalry  and  light  battery  drills. 

1883.  Maj.  William  A.  Jones,  Department  Engineer,  prepared  a  landscape  plan  for  the  Presidio. 

1883.  Presidio's  civilian  gardeners  increased  from  three  to  six. 

June  18,  1885.  Contract  let  for  a  new  flagstaff,  $235.  Height  not  stated. 

July  5,  1885.  Presidio  to  be  enlarged.  Department  commander  recommended  that  the  bottom  land  at 
the  foot  of  the  bluff  and  north  of  the  stables  be  filled  in,  and  that  the  stables,  corral,  and  shops  be 
moved  to  lower  Presidio.  He  also  recommended  that  work  continue  on  filling  in  the  ravine  west  of  the 
barracks. 

August  16, 1885.  Alia  California:  "during  the  Winter  season  the  hills  and  dells  of  the  Presidio  are  clothed 
in  green  and  studded  with  a  great  variety  of  wild  flowers.  Even  now  .  .  .  ferns  grow  in  great 
abundance  and  in  the  little  valleys  .  .  .  some  twenty  or  thirty  varieties  of  wild  flowers  may  be  found." 

1886.  San  Francisco's  first  Arbor  Day  celebrated  at  Presidio.  Children  planted  3,000  trees. 
1888-1897.  Army  planted  100,000  trees  at  the  Presidio. 

1890.  Last  of  Indian  wars.  Abandonment  of  remote  frontier  posts  and  concentration  of  troops  at  a  few 
large  western  posts  in  cities  or  served  by  railroads,  including  the  Presidio. 

1891-1897.  Battery  Marcus  Miller  and  Battery  Godfrey  were  the  first  of  the  modern  coastal  defenses 
to  be  completed  at  the  Presidio. 


194 


1895.  Presidio  advertised  for  60,000  young  Monterey  pines. 

1895.  Beginning  of  brick  construction  at  the  Presidio. 

1895.  Nine-hole  golf  course  established  in  southern  Presidio. 

1898.  War  with  Spain.  Camp  Merriam  tent  camp  established  near  Lombard  Gate  and  in  Tennessee 
Hollow. 

1899.  Wood  frame  bachelor  officers'  quarters  ("the  Corral")  burned  to  the  ground. 

1900.  Construction  of  modern  coastal  fortifications  at  Presidio  in  full  swing. 

1901.  Army  contacted  Gifford  Pinchot,  head  of  the  Division  of  Forestry,  U.S.  Department  of 
Agriculture,  for  assistance  in  landscape  engineering. 

1902.  Corps  of  Engineers  requested  new  structures  at  Fort  Point  for  continuing  work  on  coastal 
fortifications. 

1902.  William  L.  Hall,  U.S.  Department  of  Agriculture,  presented  landscape  plan  for  the  Presidio.  Listed 
preferred  species. 

1902-1906.  Architect  Daniel  H.  Burnham  in  San  Francisco  offering  advice.  Visited  the  Presidio  at  least 
once,  1904. 

1903.  Board  of  Officers  recommended  resumption  of  tree  planting,  additional  roads,  filling  in  lower 
Presidio,  wall  on  south  boundary,  etc. 

1903.  Army  let  a  contract  for  13,800  tree  seedlings  for  Presidio. 

1903.  Infantry  Cantonment  for  training  recruits  established  near  Lombard  Gate.  Inherited  a  few 
structures  from  Sp.  Am.  War  but  troop  labor  built  most  of  it.  Later  called  East  and  West  Cantonments. 
Four  buildings  survive:  563,  567,  569,  and  572. 

1905.  Presidio  trees  offered  to  other  Bay  Area  posts. 

1905.  Presidio  and  Ferries  Railroad  Co.  relinquished  its  1892  Presidio  license. 

1905.  Presidio  Golf  Club  established. 

1906.  Earthquake.  Four  refugee  camps  established  on  Presidio,  as  were  the  headquarters  of  the  Pacific 
Division  and  the  Department  of  California.  Two  of  the  last  three  adobe  officers'  quarters  destroyed. 

1906.  San  Francisco  depot  quartermaster  arranged  for  storehouses  on  lower  Presidio. 

1906.  "Spanish  Mission"  architecture  discussed  for  future  Fort  Scott. 

1907.  Dept.  Engineer  William  W.  Harts  wrote  a  report  on  the  expansion  and  development  of  the 
Presidio,  including  vegetation,  buildings,  lower  Presidio,  Marine  Hospital,  National  Cemetery, 
boundary  walls,  etc. 

1907.  Southern  boundary  marked  by:  stone  wall  in  east,  Lobos  Creek  in  west,  some  fencing  in  between. 


195 


1907.  Bandstand  built  on  future  Pershing  Square.  Octagonal,  open  frame,  on  brick  piers,  enclosed  with 
rail  and  fancy  pickets.  (1927  moved  to  children's  playground,  Infantry  Terrace.  1935,  demolished). 

1908.  Names  East  and  West  Cantonment  in  use.  Each  contained  12  small  barracks,  plus  kitchens, 
bathhouses,  etc.,  etc.  for  a  total  of  200  buildings.  All  substandard. 

1908.  Proposal  to  replace  timber  bulkhead  along  road  from  mine  depot  toward  Fort  Point  with  from 
155  feet  to  500  feet  (depending  on  funding)  of  stone  and  concrete  wall. 

1908-1910.  Fort  Point's  masonry  wall  extended  east  by  a  concrete  wall.  Still  500  feet  to  mine  wharf 
without  protection. 

1908.  $7,500  spent  beautifying  PSF's  wooded  areas  and  roads. 
1908.  Mine  wharf  built,  250'  x  20'  and  an  L  80'  x  40' 

1908.  Depot  QM  built  a  storehouse  and  shed  near  Presidio  wharf.  He  also  used  a  building  in  this  area 
as  a  morgue  for  dead  returning  from  Philippines. 

1908.  Shoreline  in  lower  Presidio  eroded  80  feet  in  past  two  years.  Seawall  proposed;  also,  fill  in 
swamp  -  392  acres.  Same  proposal  in  1909. 

1909.  Mineral  oil  used  for  lighting  at  PSF. 

1910.  Golf  course  expanded  to  eighteen  holes. 

1911-1914.  114  acres  of  lower  Presidio  filled  in  for  Expo.  Warehouses  moved  from  lower  Presidio  to 
higher  ground. 

1912.  June  18.  Fort  Winfield  Scott  became  a  separate  post.  Barracks  described  as  most  elaborate  and 
modern  in  U.S.  Army. 

1912.  Electricity  installed  in  Officers'  Club. 

1913.  April  27.  Family  of  five  killed  in  fire  in  quarters. 

1914.  Brig.  Gen.  John  J.  Pershing  arrived  at  PSF  to  command  infantry  brigade. 

1914.  Infantry  brigade  to  Mexican  border. 

1915.  Mrs.  Pershing  and  three  children  killed  in  PSF  fire. 
1915.  Fire  in  roof  of  Officers'  Club. 

1917.  North  Cantonment  built  in  lower  Presidio,  216  buildings.  Troops  trained  for  WWI. 

1917.  Brig.  Gen.  Frederick  Funston  buried  in  National  Cemetery. 

1917.  Railroad  line  built  from  Fort  Mason  to  Presidio.  1918,  Presidio  troops  join  the  Siberian  Expedition. 

1919.  Presidio  was  demobilization  point  for  WWI  and  Siberian  troops. 

1920.  Ninth  Corps  Area  established  headquarters  in  Barracks  35. 

196 


1920.  Third  Army  Area  said  to  have  organized  at  PSF  (there  is  conflicting  evidence  concerning  this). 
1920s  and  1930s.  Many  buildings  in  East  and  West  Cantonments  demolished. 

1921.  Balloon  hangar  and  generator  house  built  in  south  Ft.  Scott. 

1924.  Sewer  system  described:  All  sinks,  washstands,  and  flushbowls  are  connected  to  underground 
sewers  that  unite  into  one  24-inch  pipe  that  empties  into  the  bay  about  300  yards  west  of  the  Presidio 
dock.  Garbage  and  manure  sold  to  contractor  and  removed  daily. 

1924.  June  23,  first  transcontinental  flight  completed  at  Crissy  Field. 

1924.  Three  water  wells  in  operation,  six  more  under  construction. 

1925.  Boundary  fences:  Stone,  11,250  linear  feet.  Wire,  8,850  linear  feet.  Board,  2,700  linear  feet. 

1926.  Officers'  quarters  on  Funston  were  reroofed,  painted,  and  underpinnings  repaired. 

1926.  City  and  County  of  San  Francisco  complained  about  the  state  of  PSF  streets.  War  Dept.  said  it 
had  no  money  for  repairs. 

1926.  Final  640  feet  of  east  boundary  wall  built  of  reinforced  concrete.  Made  to  look  like  cut  stone. 

1927.  Palace  of  Fine  Arts  given  to  City  and  County  of  SF. 

1927.  Beginning  of  a  ten-year  program  to  build  army  housing,  nationwide. 

1928.  Barracks  in  East  Cantonment  converted  to  (warrant)  officers'  quarters. 

1930.  Summary  of  quarters.  Officers:  23  sets  at  Main  Post,  one  BOQ  at  Main  Post,  31  sets  at  Infantry 
Terrace,  20  sets  East  Terrace,  41  sets  in  West  Cantonment. 

Warrant  officers:  25  sets,  all  BOQ,  East  Cantonment. 

NCOs:  8  sets  East  Cantonment  (only  one  suitable),  18  sets  Lovers  Lane  (only  one  suitable),  48  sets  West 
Cantonment  (none  suitable),  9  sets  at  Main  Post  (all  suitable). 

Enlisted  Barracks:  1,103  men,  Main  Post  brick;  220  men,  Main  Post  frame;  373  men,  West  Cantonment 
frame. 

1931.  West  Point  Preparatory  School  established  in  cavalry  barracks  682. 
1931.  Aug.  4.  Dedication  of  new  post  chapel. 

1931.  Studies  began  on  restoration  of  Officers'  Club. 

1931.  2,000  feet  of  cyclone  fencing  erected  along  Lobos  Creek. 

1931.  New  entrance  gates  for  National  Cemetery. 

1932.  Contract  let  for  removal  of  3,100  trees  from  PSF  and  Ft.  Scott  due  to  overcrowding. 
1930s.  Army  supported  planting  of  15,000  trees  on  golf  course. 

197 


1933.  April  5.  CCC  established  west  coast  headquarters  at  Ninth  Corps  Area,  PSF. 

1933.  Jan.  5,  Ground-breaking  ceremony  for  Golden  Gate  Bridge  at  Crissy  Field.  Golden  Gate  Bridge 
authority  built  for  Army:  several  fire  control  stations,  reserve  magazine,  rifle  range,  machine  shops, 
gas  stations,  drainage  and  sewer  systems,  living  quarters,  and  roads.  Diverted  Lincoln  Blvd  near  Toll 
Plaza  at  a  cost  of  $1.9  million. 

1934.  Officers'  Club  restored. 
1934.  Fort  Point  light  discontinued. 

1934.  Drilled  well  and  installed  motor-driven  deep  well  pump,  Lobos  Creek  Pumping  Station. 

1934.  Reinforced  concrete  addition  to  Ninth  Corps  Area  headquarters,  Barracks  35. 

1934.  18  double  NCO  quarters  built  on  Portola  St.  and  11  double  sets  built  at  Ft.  Scott. 

1935-36.  CCC  storehouses  and  sheds  built  lower  Presidio. 

1936.  Fourth  U.S.  Army  established  at  PSF  (same  staff  as  Ninth  Corps  Area). 

1936.  Crissy  Field  abandoned  June  30. 

1936.  A  brick,  10-ton  forced  draft  garbage  incinerator  (670)  built. 

1937.  Installed  2,163  feet  of  new  6-inch  water  mains. 

1938.  Work  began  on  PSF  rehabilitation  program,  $2.3  million. 

1938.  6,000  linear  feet  of  Lincoln  Blvd.  in  Ft.  Scott  widened  from  10  feet  to  22  feet  (35  feet  on  three 
curves),  and  15,600  linear  feet  of  Ft.  Scott's  interior  roads  widened  from  10  feet  to  30  feet.  Emulsified 
asphalt  on  both. 

1938.  Presidio  officially  named  (apparently  for  the  second  time). 

1938.  Renovation  of  BOQ,  42,  at  $32,300. 

1938.  $100,000  spent  on  PSF's  highways,  roads,  and  streets. 

1938.  41  structures  demolished  in  East  and  West  Cantonments  including  officers'  quarters,  NCO 
quarters,  garages,  stables,  and  servants'  quarters. 

1939.  War  Department  Theater  (99)  constructed  and  landscaped. 

1939.  Bakers  and  Cooks  School  (220)  built,  $32,300. 

1940.  Barracks  38  and  39  completed,  250  men  each,  $275,000  each. 
1940.  Barracks  38  remodeled  to  be  Fourth  Army  headquarters. 

1940.  Sales  commissary  and  warehouse  (603)  completed,  $240,200. 

1941.  Western  Defense  Command  established  at  PSF. 


198 


1941.  Fourth  Army  Intelligence  School  (Nisei)  established  in  Crissy  hangar  640. 
1940.  Park-Presidio  Tunnel  (MacArthur  tunnel)  opened  to  Golden  Gate  Bridge  traffic. 
1940.  Telephones  changed  from  manual  to  dial  operation.  Addition  built  to  67. 
1940-41.  Area  A,  lower  Presidio,  and  Area  E  (BOQs  40  and  41)  completed. 

1942.  Ninth  Corps  Area  moved  to  Utah. 

WWII.  Army  regained  use  of  Palace  of  Fine  Arts  as  warehouse. 

WWII.  Barbed  wire,  machine  gun  emplacements,  and  antiaircraft  guns  on  Golf  Course,  Baker  Beach, 
and  elsewhere. 

1945.  UN  conference  in  San  Francisco. 

1946.  Sixth  U.S.  Army  occupied  both  barracks  38  and  39. 
1946.  Western  Defense  Command  inactivated. 

1946.  UN  Committee  inspected  PSF  as  possible  site  for  UN  headquarters. 

1947.  Crissy  Field  barracks  (650)  named  Stilwell  Hall.  At  one  time  it  was  headquarters  for  the 
California  Military  District. 

1948.  Officers'  quarters  401-425  built  on  Washington  Blvd. 
1950.  Building  36  was  post  headquarters  for  PSF. 

1950.  Harmon  Hall,  San  Francisco  U.S.  Army  Reserve  Center,  built  in  Crissy  Field. 

1951.  May  13.  Two  children  killed  in  fire  at  Ft.  Scott  (1290). 

1951.  PSF  service  club  (135)  site  of  definitive  peace  treaty  with  Japan  signed  by  UN. 
1951.  Building  215  built  as  a  bus  stop. 

1951.  Flagstaff  erected  on  site  of  Pershing  house,  Pershing  Square. 
1952-1953.  Wherry  housing  constructed,  first  called  Presidio  Park  Apartments. 

1952.  A  three-block-long  wire  fence  erected  on  top  of  stone  wall  bordering  Lyon  St.  Controversy. 
1952.  Catholic  chapel  reconstructed. 

1954.  NIKEs  are  coming  to  San  Francisco. 

1956.  PSF  regained  control  of  golf  course.  Installed  automatic  watering  system. 

1957.  Crissy  Field  BOQ  (951)  was  WAC  officers'  quarters.  By  1965  it  was  transient  quarters  for  enlisted 
families. 


199 


1957.  Sixth  Army  Band  lived  in  Barracks  100  while  the  Provost  Marshal's  office  was  in  former  band 
barracks  106.  Special  Services  was  in  old  gymnasium  (122)  and  the  post  dispensary  occupied  the  old 
post  hospital  (2). 

1960.  Paul  R.  Goode  Athletic  Field  designated. 

1960.  PSF  became  a  National  Historic  Landmark.  Certificate  awarded  in  1963. 

1964.  U.S.  acquired  Wherry  housing. 

1964.  Service  Club  (135)  became  NCOs'  Open  Mess. 

1967.  ADP  &  Communications  Center  (34)  built. 

1967.  Stilwell  Hall  (650)  used  as  Sixth  Army  Stock  Control  Center. 

1969-70.  Golden  Gate  U.  S.  Army  Reserve  Center  (1750)  'built. 

1970.  Plans  to  enlarge  Catholic  chapel. 

1971.  Golden  Gate  National  Recreation  Area  established. 
1972-73.  Addition  to  Officers'  Club  (50),  $1.25  million. 

1972.  Boy  Scouts  of  America  planted  1,200  coastal  Redwoods.  All  died. 
1974.  Redwoods  replaced  by  250  Giant  Sequoia. 

1974.  Presidio  Army  Museum  established  in  2. 

1976-77.  Most  buildings  in  Area  A,  lower  Presidio,  most  recently  occupied  by  Letterman,  demolished. 

1976.  Letterman  buildings  1026  (administration  and  supply)  and  1028  (enlisted  women's  barracks)  built. 

1976.      Stables  (663)  converted  to  post  veterinarian  &  food  inspection. 
Stables  (668)  converted  to  family  housing  furniture  warehouse. 
Stables  (661)  used  as  MARS  warehouse  &  Boy  Scouts. 
Stables  (667)  used  as  a  warehouse.  By  1988  there  was  temporary  quarters  in  one  end. 

1980.  Enlisted  personnel  moved  from  PSF  to  Fort  Scott:  1204  and  1206  male  soldiers;  1205  female 
soldiers;  1214  administration. 

1982.  Barracks  105  converted  to  Federal  Emergency  Management  Agency. 

1982.  Barracks  103  used  by  Post  Comptroller  Office  and  Finance  &  Accounting  Office. 

1983.  Barracks  102  planned  for  conversion  to  general  purpose  administration.  Completed  1986. 

1983.  Barracks  104  planned  for  conversion  to  finance  administration. 

1984.  Joe  R.  McBride,  Forest  Management  Plan  for  the  Presidio  and  East  Fort  Baker. 


200 


1985.  Plans  to  renovate  guardhouse  (210)  for  bank  and  credit  union  purposes.  But  credit  union 
remained  in  229. 

1987.  New  commissary. 

1988.  New  bowling  alley. 

Note  is  made  that  former  BOQ  42,  now  Senior  Officers'  Transient  Quarters,  has  three  names: 

East  wing  -  Hardie  Hall  (Maj.  James  A.  Hardie,  commanding  officer  of  PSF,  March  1847- 

November  1849). 
Center  section  -  Pershing  Hall  -  Brig.  Gen.  John  J.  Pershing,  commanding  general,  8th 

Infantry  Brigade,  PSF,  January  13- April  23,  1914).  Later,  General  of  the  Armies. 
West     wing    -    Keyes     Hall     (Capt.     Erasmus    D.     Keyes,    commanding    officer,     PSF, 

November  1849-Novembcr  1855). 

National  Cemetery 

1866.  Two  cemeteries  at  PSF,  earlier  one  in  laundresses'  quarters  area,  not  then  used;  newer  one  at 
future  national  cemetery  site. 

1873.  Three  enlisted  men  died  at  PSF.  One  officer,  killed  in  Modoc  War,  buried  at  PSF. 

1874.  Two  enlisted  men  at  PSF  died. 
1879.  List  of  144  internments  prepared. 

1884.  Named  the  San  Francisco  National  Cemetery.  9.5  acres.  231  internments  of  which  13  were 
unknown. 

1885.  List  of  181  [sic]  interments  prepared. 
1896.  "New  Addition",  6  acres,  added. 

1904.  4,563  internments.  Rubblestone  wall  on  three  sides.  Iron  railing  on  front  (north). 

1905.  Gateway  and  604  linear  feet  of  wall  built. 

1906.  5,367  internments  in  5,281  graves. 
1919.  Section  A  added,  3.5  acres. 
1924.  Section  B  added,  2.034  acres. 

1926.  Five  year  improvement  plan.  Lodge  converted  from  two-story  gable  to  Mission  Revival;  remove 
stable  and  remove  lavatory. 

1929.  Removed  main  gates  and  placed  them  at  new  west  entrance. 

1930.  Completion  report.  Converted  lodge  from  two-story  gable  roof  structure  to  one  story  "Spanish 
Mission  Style."  Constructed  new  comfort  station  and  garage,  both  one  story. 

1928.  Section  C  added,  2.034  acres.  Now  8,937  known  dead  and  510  unknown. 

201 


1930.  Administration  switched  from  Depot  Quartermaster,  Fort  Mason,  to  CG,  Ninth  Corps  Area,  PSF. 

1931.  Pathologist  reported  on  state  of  vegetation. 
1931.  Roads  resurfaced  from  macadam  to  asphaltic. 

1931.  New  gates  at  main  entrance. 

1932.  Sections  D  and  E  added,  5.124  acres.  Total  now  28  acres. 

1933.  13,257  internments,  of  whom  600  were  officers,  plus  women  and  children. 

1933.  More  road  upgrading,  $5,900. 

1934.  American  War  Mothers,  San  Francisco,  monument  dedicated. 
1934.  Lincoln  Memorial  Tablet  moved  from  wall  of  lodge  to  rostrum. 

1934.  Unknown  Soldier  grave  prepared  and  marked  -  517  unknowns  from  throughout  the  cemetery. 

1935.  Major  wind  storm  damage. 

1938.  16,918  graves  of  known  and  510  [517]  unknowns. 

1942.  "War  relic"  armament  removed  for  salvage. 

1943.  Storm  damage,  $3,150. 
1946.  20,913  internments 

ca.  1947.  Cemetery  closed  to  additional  burials,  except  reserved. 

1955.  A  report  this  year  stated  that  the  cemetery  contained  230  bodies,  believed  to  be  Spanish  and 
Mexican,  that  were  removed  from  other  PSF  spots. 

1961.  Plans  to  expand  cemetery  by  26  acres  rescinded. 

Letterman 

1898.  General  hospital  authorized.  First  return  of  U.S.  Army  General  Hospital  was  dated  December  31, 
1898. 

1899.  Construction.  Pavilion  type,  ten  40-bed  wards,  $113,400. 

1899.  CO  complained  about  dusty  roads,  sea  too  near,  and  obnoxious  insects. 

1899-1900.  First  year,  5,390  patients. 

1901.  President  McKinley  visited. 

1901.  Army  Nurse  Corps  established  (Nurses  commissioned  in  1920). 


202 


1901.  First  two  officers'  quarters  built.  1000  for  the  commanding  officer,  1001  a  duplex.  Completed  in 
1902. 

1901.  Fire  destroyed  one  third  of  hospital. 

1901.  X-ray  lab  added. 

1902.  Measles  epidemic,  18  deaths. 

1904.  Operating  pavilion  built,  $22,000. 

1905.  Dental  work  added  to  mission. 

1906.  Earthquake.  Commanding  general  of  the  hospital  took  charge  of  San  Francisco's  sanitation. 
1906.  Second  fire. 

1911.  Hospital  named  for  Maj.  Jonathan  Letterman,  Civil  War  surgeon. 

1911.  Dental  Corps  established. 

1911-1914.  Average  of  3,000  patients  annually. 

1915.  Orthopedic  work  began  at  Letterman. 

1917.  1,200  beds. 

1918-19.  East  Hospital  built,  19  wards,  40  patients  each;  5  barracks  for  staff,;  and  one  nurse's  dorm. 

1918.  Army  School  of  Nursing  established  at  Letterman. 

WWI.   Orthopedic   Center,    American   Expeditionary   Force,   France;   Division   of   Neurology   and 
Psychiatry;  venereal  diseases;  prison  ward. 

1919.  2,200  beds.  During  year  12,400  patients.  Ill  deaths.  Staff:  50  officers,  131  nurses,  656  enlisted 
men,  and  187  civilians. 

1922.  750  beds,  emergency  1,200  beds.  Wooden  structures  being  replaced  by  concrete  ones. 

1823.  One  ward  converted  to  six  sets  of  quarters  for  married  NCOs. 

1924.  Intern  program  began. 

1929.  Recommendation  that  all  wooden  structures  and  stucco  buildings  be  replaced. 

1933.  CCC  patients  added  to  load.  Now  5,000  patients  yearly. 

1938.  $345,000  WPA  funds  for  Letterman. 

1941.  August.  First  issue  of  Foghorn. 

1941.  Letterman  became  debarkation  hospital. 


203 


WWII.  Letterman  took  over  200  area  or  Area  A  in  lower  Presidio. 
WWII.  3,500  beds. 
1944.  WACs  assigned. 

1944.  Hospital  Train  Unit  authorized.  Ill  hospital  cars.  Four  full  trains  leaving  daily  via  the  Crissy 
yard. 

1945.  72,000  patients  that  year,  including  almost  1,000  ex-POWs. 

1946.  General  of  the  Army,  Dwight  Eisenhower  visited. 
1948.  Building  1062  converted  to  500-scat  theater. 

1948.  Letterman  still  occupied  43  buildings  in  lower  Presidio.  This  area  now  called  "Debarkation 
Hospital  Area." 

1948.  Bowling  alley  put  in  building  1066.  1949,  August  22,  300,000th  patient  admitted. 
1950.  A  hospital  train  unit  ordered  to  Letterman  (Korean  War). 
Korean  War.  1,500  beds.  16,000  admissions,  of  which  28%  were  battle  casualties. 
1950.  Name  changed  to  Letterman  Army  Hospital. 

1956.  Letterman  acquired  PSF  stables  668  to  use  as  an  animal  laboratory. 

1957.  Earthquake.  Little  damage. 

1957.  875  beds.  Emergency,  4,000  beds.  Professional  teaching  hospital,  residency  and  internship 
programs.  Staff,  1,300. 

1957.  125  numbered  buildings  (57  permanent,  21  semi-permanent,  47  temporary). 
1957.  Four  railroad  tracks  in  yard.  Could  accommodate  13  hospital  cars. 

1960.  Letterman's  gym  and  pool  open  to  all  PSF.  (Built  WWII?) 

1961.  Capacity  1,000  beds.  Emergency,  3,500  beds.  Cost  of  construction,  including  improvements,  to 
date,  $4.6  million.  Value  of  installed  equipment,  $2.5  million.  Staff,  1,554  military  and  672  civilians. 

1966.  Lower  Presidio  buildings  for  convalescent  patients,  city  personnel,  enlisted  students,  and 
classrooms. 

1966.  Western  Medical  Research  Laboratory  established  at  Letterman  (now  LAIR). 
1966.  Viet  Nam  casualties  flown  into  Travis  AFB  then  helicoptered  to  PSF. 

1968.  Letterman's  new  building  (LAMC)  completed  in  May.  550  beds,  ten  floors,  $14.8  million. 

1969.  Staff,  1,800. 


204 


1972-73.  About  fifteen  buildings,  both  200  and  1000,  demolished.  Plan  for  elimination  of  all  older 
buildings. 

1973.  Bob  Hope  visited  in  December. 

1973.  Ex-POWs  from  Viet  Nam  passing  through.  Two  of  them  accused  of  being  turncoats— trouble  with 
press. 

1973-1977.  LAIR  buildings  completed. 

1977.  Continuing  demolition  of  1000  buildings. 

1979.  New  enlisted  women's  barracks  (1028)  and  administration  building  (1027)  completed. 

Crissy  Field 

1907.  Army  Signal  Corps  established  an  Aeronautical  Division  with  three  men  and  one  aircraft,  which 
crashed. 

1914.  Congress  authorized  creation  of  the  Aviation  Section,  Signal  Corps.  A  flying  school  established 
on  North  Island,  San  Diego  (Rockwell  Field). 

1918.  Congress  authorized  construction  of  air  coast  defense  stations.  Only  one  built  -  Miller  Field, 
Staten  Island. 

1918.  Air  Service  established.  Soon  had  200,000  personnel.  At  that  time,  North  Cantonment  temporary 
buildings  covered  the  east  half  of  lower  Presidio. 

1919.  Transcontinental  Reliability  Race,  New  York  to  San  Francisco's  Marina.  Maj.  Dana  Crissy  in  the 
race.  Killed  returning  to  the  East. 

1919.  Col.  H.H.  Arnold,  Air  Service  Officer,  Western  Department,  San  Francisco,  requested  the  removal 
of  ten  buildings  from  North  Cantonment  as  a  menace  to  aircraft  landing  in  the  western  part  of  lower 
Presidio. 

1920.  Air  Service  made  a  combatant  arm  of  the  Army  and  reduced  to  10,000  personnel. 
1920.  Army  aircraft  transferred  to  Presidio. 

1920.  The  name  "Crissy  Field"  appeared  in  Air  Service  News  Letter.  Planes  from  there  took  aerial  photos 
of  Forts  Baker  and  Barry. 

1920.  Post  Office  Dept.  (Aerial  Mail  Service)  given  permission  to  use  Crissy  Field.  Did  not  at  that  time. 

1920.  Plans  developed  for  Crissy  Field  facilities. 

1921.  Announcement  that  Crissy  would  be  an  Air  Service  Coast  Defense  Station. 

1921.  June  24.  Crissy  Field  completed  and  turned  over  to  Air  Service.  Hap  Arnold  moved  from  the 
Santa  Fe  building  in  San  Francisco  to  the  second  floor  of  the  new  administration  building  (651) 

1921.  Post  Office  again  given  permission  to  use  Crissy  and  to  build  one  hangar.  (640). 

205 


1922.  Porches  on  officers'  quarters  were  glassed  and  a  sleeping  room  and  a  sun  porch  added  to  rears 
(the  buildings  were  too  small) 

1922.  A  steel  hangar  added. 

1922.  Transcontinental  flight  of  army  dirigible  C-2  arrived  at  Crissy.  (Destroyed  when  returning  East.) 

1922.  The  91st  Squadron  (Observation)  and  Aerial  Photo  Section  15,  Crissy  Field,  were  the  only  active 
Air  Service  organizations  in  Ninth  Corps  Area. 

1923.  Another  new  hangar.  (Rockwell  Field  closed  by  then.) 

1923.  The  36  buildings  in  North  Cantonment  used  by  the  Fort  Mason  Supply  Depot  were  a  nuisance 
to  Crissy's  operations.  Some  were  demolished  before  end  of  year. 

1924.  Newly  cleared  land  in  eastern  lower  Presidio  transferred  to  Crissy. 
1924.  First  Dawn  to  Dusk  flight  from  Long  Island,  NY,  landed  at  Crissy. 

1924.  Radio  and  Communications  building  (966)  too  far  from  operations.  Radio  moved  to  the  field. 

1924.  The  Coast  Guard  Life  Saving  Station  in  the  road.  Willing  to  move  but  no  money.  (An  air  officer 
complained  that  the  Coast  Guard  was  too  slow  whenever  a  Crissy  plane  crashed  in  the  water.) 

1925.  U.S.  Navy  at  Crissy.  Preparing  for  first  flight  to  Hawaii. 

1926.  Air  Service  became  U.S.  Army  Air  Corps. 

1926.  Runway,  then  called  the  landing  field,  resurfaced,  and  extended  1,000  feet. 

1927.  Post  Office  gave  its  hangar  to  Army.  Army  converted  the  80'  x  100'  building  into  ROTC  barracks. 

1928.  Concrete  "fence"  built  along  bluff  at  west  end  of  field.  Beautified  the  bay  shore  drive  and  made 
the  road  safer.  This  was  the  road  from  headquarters  to  officers'  row. 

1928.  Crissy  Field  only  Regular  Army  field  in  Ninth  Corps  Area.  There  were  six  Reserve  fields. 

1928.  Runway  graded  and  dragged. 

1928.  Extensive  plans  for  new  quarters  and  barracks,  a  hangar-gym,  seawall,  etc.  Not  carried  out. 

1930.  Crissy  to  be  abandoned,  too  small,  dangerous  wind  currents. 

1931.  East  end  of  lower  Presidio  became  a  polo  field.  Landing  field  now  3050  feet  long,  400  feet  wide. 

1931.  78  accidents  at  Crissy  since  1921. 

1932.  Recommendation  to  replace  present  wood  stave  drains  installed  by  the  Panama  Pacific  Exposition 
in  1915  with  terra  cotta  pipe,  (both  sanitary  and  storm  drains) 

1933.  In  general,  housing  was  satisfactory  but  deteriorating  rapidly  due  to  poor  construction  and  the 
blasting  in  connection  with  construction  of  Golden  Gate  Bridge. 


206 


1934.  "Weather  proof"  landing  mat  built.  2,000  feet  long  and  200  feet  wide.  Taxiway  from  west  end  of 
mat  to  hangars.  7  inches  crushed  rock,  covered  with  coat  of  leveling  rock  rolled  and  crushed,  topped 
with  l>/2  inch  natural  rock  asphalt,  rolled  and  packed  tight. 

1935.  Discussion  whether  to  enlarge  Crissy  or  abandon  it.  The  new  "asphalt"  landing  and  takeoff  strip 
mentioned. 

1936.  June  30.  Crissy  Field  abandoned.  Field  restricted  to  emergency  landings  only. 

Post  1936.  Crissy  Field  administration  building  (651)  became  the  headquarters  for  both  PSF  and  the 
30th  Infantry  Regiment. 

1937.  20  sections  of  Golden  Gate  Bridge  safety  net  recovered  from  San  Francisco  Bay  are  spread  out 
on  Crissy  Field  for  reclamation. 

1937.  Army  stopped  using  term  "Crissy  Field"  and  referred  to  the  area  as  "Lower  Post." 

1938.  WPA  funds  used  to  landscape,  paint,  and  to  resurface  (with  what?)  400,000  square  feet  of 
runway. 

1957.  Field  now  important  to  Sixth  Army  headquarters  and  to  guided  missile  air  communications 
(NIKE).  New  runway  to  be  built  along  the  beach. 

1958.  Steel  and  glass  flight  control  tower  transferred  to  the  field  from  Castle  AFB.  Crissy  reactivated 
for  small  aircraft  and  helicopters  (possibly  before  1958  but  after  1953). 

1959.  16  military  aircraft  authorized.  Also  8  civilian  aircraft  at  field. 

1960.  The  runway  now  a  flexible  pavement  runway  2,500  feet  long  and  50  feet  wide. 

1959.  Need  to  remove  WWII  buildings  at  east  end  of  lower  Presidio.  Plans  prepared  for  a  5,000  foot 
runway.  Still  other  plans  for  a  runway  3,100  feet  by  75  feet. 

1960.  Runway  extension  completed  (dimensions  unknown).  Still  dangerous. 

1966.  Plans  to  remove  all  buildings  in  east  lowej  Presidio  (Letterman  200  buildings)  and  extend 
runway  to  Lyon  Street. 

1972.  Recommendation  to  restrict  all  fixed-wing  aircraft  and  convert  to  a  heliport  for  use  of  VIP  or 
Medical  Evacuation  only. 

# 

1974.  Closure  date  was  2400  hours,  Feb.  14,  1974. 

1986.  Nakata  Planning  Group,  Bay  Front  Area  Site  Development  Plan,  $5  million. 

1988.  NPS  Advisory  Commission  approved  plan. 


Coast  Guard  Station  323 

1878.  Congress  authorized  the  Life  Saving  Service. 
1886.  Fort  Point  LSS  authorized. 

207 


1888.  War  Department  permitted  land  in  lower  Presidio  to  Treasury  Department. 

1888.  Plans  prepared  for  Fort  Point  LSS. 

1889.  Contract  awarded  in  February.  To  be  completed  by  September  1,  1889. 

1889.  Buildings  completed  in  October.  Launchways  not  started. 

1890.  Fence  constructed  around  LSS,  part  picket,  part  barbed  wire. 

1890.  February,  LSS  completed.  House  and  fence  painted  white. 

1891.  War  Department  gave  permit  for  LSS  to  construct  a  lookout  at  Fort  Point. 
1909.  Map  of  PSF  showed  3  unnamed  structures  plus  a  launchway. 

1912.  Map  of  PSF  showed  2  unnamed  structures  plus  a  launchway. 
1914.  Became  U.S.  Coast  Guard  Station  323. 

ca.  1914.  Station  moved  700  feet  farther  west  and  a  new  steel  launchway  installed  ($19,000).  Land  area: 
300  feet  by  150  feet. 

1919.  This  date  given  for  construction  of  the  station  building,  55  feet  square.  (Not  verified.  An  Air 
Service  letter  dated  Oct.  8,  1919,  mentioned  this  building.  See  entry  for  1981  below.) 

1920.  Air  Service  wanted  the  station  moved  -  a  danger  to  aircraft.  Treasury  willing,  but  no  money. 
$73,000  to  move. 

1925.  Photos  of  station  in  San  Francisco  Chronicle,  October  18,  1925.  Three  boats  inside  building. 
1930.  Station  got  one  of  the  new,  modern,  high-powered,  seagoing  life  saving  boats. 

1940.  Not  until  1940  did  PSF  issue  a  permit  for  the  station  in  its  present  site.  The  metes  and  bounds 
finally  given. 

1952.  Growing  importance  of  this  station  because  others  in  Bay  Area  were  being  closed.  Coast  Guard 
requested  additional  land  150  feet  wide  from  Army  for  the  erection  of  shops. 

1957.  A  map  showed:  garage,  dwelling,  station  building,  storehouse,  shop,  ammunition  storehouse, 
and,  at  the  end  of  the  pier,  a  buoy  shack  with  latrine. 

1963.  Crew  of  26.  Four  boats:  two  40-foot  speedboats,  two  36-foot  motor  lifeboats.  Marine  railway. 
1970s.  Late  1970s  Fort  Point  the  only  station  still  in  operation  in  the  Bay  Area. 

1970.  Area  was  14.70  acres  including  tidelands.  PSF  permitted  the  construction  of  a  hangar  for  two  Air 
Cushion  Vehicles  (ACV). 

1972.  Marine  railway  abandoned. 

1972.  Buildings:  SF  19  Boathouse 

SF  15   Electric  Repair  Shop 

208 


CG  1      Engineer /Mtl(?)  Shops 

CG  2     Crew  Berth /Administration  Office 

CG  3     CO  residence 

CG  4     CO  garage 

CG  6      ACV  Hangar 

CG  10    Standby  generator  room 

ACV  ramp  and  apron  Pier 

Dock  and  boat  house  (two  44-foot  MLBs) 

1973.  USCG  gave  up  air  cushion  boats. 

1974.  Remnants  of  marine  railway  removed. 

1977.  Description:  main  building  8,100  sq.  ft. 

garage/shop   1,440 
boatswain's  locker  500 
two-story  house  2,100 
former  ACV  hangar  5,100 
wood,  pile  catwalk  341  feet  long  with  400  sq.  ft.  boathouse. 

1981.  GSA  report  stated  that  the  main  building  was  constructed  in  1915. 

1983.  Main  building  renovated. 

1984.  By  now  the  USCG  was  in  the  Department  of  Transportation. 
1984.  USCG  planning  new  pier  and  offshore  breakwater. 

1986.  Inventory: 

CG  2  station  house,  "pre-1915",  wood  frame,  4  stories 

CG  3  OINC  quarters,  ca.  1890,  wood  frame,  2  stories 

CG  4  garage,  ca.  1890,  wood  frame,  1  story 

CG  6  ACV  hangar,  1970,  metal,  1  story 

CG  1  carpenter  shop,  1930s,  wood  frame,  1  story 

CG  15  paint  locker,  ca.  1930s,  wood  frame,  1  story 

CG  10  emergency  generator  building,  n.d.,  wood  frame,  1  story 

CG  19  boat  house,  n.d.,  wood  frame,  1  story 

CG  7  access  pier,  ca.  1932,  wood  frame 

CG  20  small  boat  dock,  ca.  1930s 

CG  12  seawall  bulkhead,  1935,  concrete 

1990.  Establishment  ceremony  for  U.S.  Coast  Guard  Station  Golden  Gate,  East  Fort  Baker. 

Water  System 

18th  Century.  Spaniards  said  to  have  gotten  water  from  a  spring  in  front  of  Infantry  Terrace  (tunnel 
ruins  found  there  in  1910)  and  from  a  spring  in  West  Cantonment  (today's  El  Polin).  There  was  another 
spring  near  the  intersection  of  Lyon  and  Vallejo  streets. 

1853.  Mountain  Lake  Water  Company  formed.  Failed. 


209 


1857.  San  Francisco  City  Water  Works  formed.  Acquired  the  Lobos  Creek  Ranch.  Changed  its  name 
to  Spring  Valley  Water  Works.  Built  flume  from  Lobos  Creek  to  Fort  Point  to  foot  of  Van  Ness. 

1857.  War  Department  installed  pump  at  the  flume  where  the  PX  was  (1930).  Water  was  pumped  to 
reservoirs  at  south  end  of  the  main  post,  then  piped  to  quarters. 

1865.  Earthquake  damage  to  flume. 

1869.  Spring  Valley  supplied  water  to  PSF,  Fort  Point,  and  Point  San  Jose  without  cost  to  Army. 

1877.  Lobos  Creek  supplied  2  million  gallons  daily. 

1877.  Water  from  flume  to  main  post  raised  by  a  steam  pump  and  forced  through  2,600  feet  of  6-inch 
pipe  to  a  reservoir  at  the  south  end  of  post. 

1887.  Water  for  Fort  Point  was  obtained  from  a  spring  on  hillside  southeast  of  the  fort  and  from  a 
reservoir  on  PSF's  Telegraph  Hill.  Reservoir  was  supplied  from  Spring  Valley  flume  via  windmill.  This 
was  also  water  source  for  the  National  Cemetery.  Also,  a  windmill  at  the  pond  in  the  southeast  corner 
of  the  reservation  and  another  near  Arguello  entrance  supplied  water  for  sprinkling  roads  and  for 
irrigation. 

1894.  Spring  Valley  Company  notified  Army  that  it  was  abandoning  the  Lobos  Creek  water  system. 
1894-95.  War  Department  instituted  a  pumping  station.  Bored  a  series  of  deep  wells. 

1904.  Wells:  one  16-inch  well,  eight  20-inch  wells,  and  one  45-inch  well,  combined  capacity  13,100 
gallons  per  hour. 

1904.  PSF  supplied  Fort  Baker  and  Angel  Island  with  water. 

1904.  Consumption  was  156,116  gallons  per  day  for  domestic  use  and  74,139  gallons  per  day  for  fire 
and  sprinkling. 

1904.  Necessary  to  connect  to  city  main  permanently. 

1910.  New  pumping  station  at  mouth  of  Lobos  Creek.  6-million  gallon  reservoir  built  1912. 

1911.  Inspection  report.  New  pumping  plant  supplied  all  PSF  except  East  Cantonment.  Also  Fort 
Mason,  Letterman,  harbor  boats,  and  bay  posts.  East  Cantonment  supplied  by  a  private  company. 

1912.  April-June  1912,  government  plant  pumped  95,350,000  gallons.  Army  purchased  2,621,000  gallons 
from  Spring  Valley  Water  Co. 

1931.  Severe  shortage  of  water  from  Lobos  Creek  and  getting  worse.  Rationing  imposed.  More  wells 
dug- 
Structures  vicinity  of  Presidio  Hill: 

313  reservoir,  6  million  gallons,  1912 

311  pump  house  1914 

310  valve  house  1912 

315  pump  house  (golf  course)  1921 


210 


Vicinity  of  plant,  Lobos  Creek 

1770  reservoir  1910 

1771  valve  house  1910 
1773  filtration  plant  1910 
1776  treatment  plant  1912 
1779  treatment  plant  1912 
1778  settling  tank  1911 

1781  quarters  1911 

1782  garage  1911 

1788  well  1925 

1789  well  1935 

1783  well  1939 


211 


APPENDIX  B 


Sally  B.  Woodbridge,  Discussion  of  Architectural  Styles,  Presidio  of  San  Francisco 

Webster's  dictionary  defines  style  as  the  "specific  or  characteristic  manner  of  expression, 
execution,  construction  or  design  in  any  art.  .  .  ."  In  architecture,  style  appears  in  the  massing, 
proportions,  materials,  structural  and  decorative  details,  or  ornament,  of  buildings.  Over  time, 
the  reuse  of  these  elements  -  particularly  materials  and  ornament  -  in  new  combinations  has 
blurred  the  identity  of  many  styles.  Hence,  precise  definitions  of  styles  that  can  be  readily 
applied  to  all  buildings  are  difficult  to  formulate.  The  penchant  for  mixing  elements  of  various 
styles  into  eclectic  versions  that  defy  description  was  strong  in  the  19th  and  20th  century 
decades  when  many  of  the  Presidio  buildings  were  built.  The  military's  approach  to 
architectural  design  was  conservative;  traditional  styles  were  favored  and  usually  simplified 
through  a  limited  use  of  decorative  detail.  Moreover,  the  widespread  use  of  standard  plans  for 
residential  and  administrative  buildings  on  military  bases  is  evidence  that  stylistic  innovation 
in  architectural  design  did  not  have  a  high  priority.  This  conservatism  doubtless  arose  from 
the  de-emphasis  on  the  military  in  this  country  and  the  desire  not  to  offend  private  citizens 
by  a  conspicuous  display  of  wealth  in  military  buildings.  Structures  associated  with  technology 
might  be  innovative  and  expensive,  as,  for  example,  in  the  dirigible  hangars  built  at  the  U.S. 
Navy's  Moffett  Field,  but  buildings  for  human  habitation  were  generally  spartan.  Thus,  at  the 
Presidio,  where  most  of  the  buildings  are  residential  and  even  non-residential  buildings  from 
the  mid-nineteenth  to  the  mid-twentieth  century  have  a  residential  scale,  the  architecture  is 
stylistically  restrained.  This  situation  was  acknowledged  in  1907  by  Major  Harts  who  observed 
in  his  report  on  the  expansion  and  development  of  the  Presidio  that,  "It  is  well  known  .  . .  that 
the  architecture  of  government  buildings  on  Military  posts  has  in  the  past  unfortunately 
always  been  of  a  needlessly  plain  character."  Major  Harts  urged  that  "old  stock  patterns"  not 
be  used,  and  stated  that,  "It  is  believed  that  the  best  results  will  be  obtained  ...  for  the 
Presidio  by  employing  skillful  competent  civilian  architects."  Despite  this  admonition,  the  only 
local  architect  whose  name  has  come  to  light  so  far  is  that  of  W.  H.  Wilcox,  who  laid  out  the 
quadrangle  of  hospital  buildings  constructed  between  1899  and  1902,  before  Major  Harts  came 
to  the  Presidio.  Since  the  Presidio's  spectacular  natural  setting  contributes  immeasurably  to  an 
overall  harmony  of  buildings  and  landscape,  style  plays  a  lesser  but  nonetheless  important  role 
in  broadening  our  understanding  of  the  history  of  this  military  reservation. 

The  Classical  Revival  styles  that  accompanied  the  birth  of  our  nation  are  dominant  at  the 
Presidio;  imported  styles  such  as  the  Italianatc  and  the  Queen  Anne  that  were  fashionable  in 
the  late  19th  century  are  relatively  rare.  Colonial  Revival,  an  umbrella  term  that  describes  most 
of  the  buildings  at  the  Presidio,  refers  to  those  styles  that  recall  this  country's  history  from  the 
colonial  period  through  the  early  year's  of  the  republic.  The  various  substyles  that  do  occur 
on  the  Presidio:  late  Federal,  Georgian  Revival,  Mission  Revival,  Spanish  Colonial  Revival,  and 
Mediterranean  Revival  (also  called  Italian  Renaissance  Revival)  occur  in  eclectic  versions  that 
often  defy  precise  definition.  The  constants  of  colors  and  materials,  articulation  of  form,  and 
characteristic  details  give  an  overall  continuity  to  the  Presidio  buildings. 

Late  Creek  Revival,  Federal,  and  Italianate  Styles,  ca.  1860-1880s 

Characteristics:  Rectangular,  gable-roofed  volumes  which  have  a  horizontal  emphasis. 
Buildings  often  have  a  raised  basement  with  flights  of  steps  leading  to  entrances  and  porches. 

Facades  which  have  openings  composed  symmetrically,  often  with  a  central,  cross-gabled 
element,  and  plans  typically  organized  around  a  central  hall. 

212 


Roofs  which  have  overhanging  eaves,  and  entablatures  which  may  have  the  three  elements  of 
architrave,  frieze,  and  cornice  or  may  be  abbreviated  by  the  omission  of  the  frieze  or  architrave 
molding.  Cornices  are  typically  enclosed  or  "boxed"  to  hide  the  rafter-ends  and  may  be  plain 
or  enriched  with  molding. 

The  gable-ends  may  have  "raking"  cornices,  that  is,  moldings  which  trace  the  outline  of  the 
triangular  gable-end,  or  cornices  which  have  the  horizontal  member  broken  in  the  middle 
leaving  short  members  called  "returns"  on  each  side. 

Window  heads  which  have  straight,  triangular,  or  segmental,  molded  heads. 

Porch  columns  and  pilasters  that  use  the  Classical  orders:  Doric,  Ionic,  Corinthian,  Tuscan,  and 
variations  thereof. 


Examples 

Building  2,  the  Wright  Army  or  Post  Hospital,  1864 

This  building  has  a  rectangular  plan  with  wards  opening  off  through  halls;  the  hip  roof  had 
a  low  pitch  and  a  Classical  entablature  with  an  overhanging,  boxed  and  molded  cornice.  The 
building  is  clad  with  narrow  weatherboard,  or  lapped,  siding,  and  the  two  story  porch  across 
the  front  has  Tuscan  columns  with  square,  chamfered  shafts  and  a  balustrade  with  turned 
balusters. 

The  above  elements  are  common  to  both  the  Federal  and  the  Italianiate  styles.  The  1897 
octagonal  addition  to  the  hospital  is  faithful  to  the  original.  Not  illustrated  are  Barracks  86-87, 
1864,  which  are  in  a  more  simplified  late  Federal  style. 


IB.          Building  2,  Wright  Army  or  Post  Hospital,  1864.  Late  Federal /Italianate 


213 


Buildings  5-16,  Officers'  Quarters,  1860s  to  1880s 

These  cottage-like  quarters  have  an  upright-and-wing  form  and  minimal  Greek  Revival  detail 
that  occurs  in  the  boxed  cornices  with  returns  on  the  gable  roofs  and  the  split-columns  on  the 
porch.  Split-columns  were  made  of  boards  set  apart  and  given  simple  molded  caps  and  bases; 
wood  sticks  with  decorative  patterns  called  spacers  are  set  between  the  boards.  The  porch 
railings  have  a  crossed-stick  pattern,  which  was  more  typical  of  Georgian /Federal  Revival 
styling  than  Greek  Revival,  which  tended  to  use  sticks  or  turned  balusters  in  porch  railings. 

The  buildings  have  narrow  weatherboard  siding  and  polygonal  bays  on  the  front  of  the  wings, 
which  were  later  additions  in  the  Italianate  style. 


2B.          Buildings    8,    9,    and    10,    Officers'    Quarters,    Main    Post,     1862.    Late 
Federal /Italianate 


214 


3B.  Building  10,  Officers'  Quarters,  Main  Post.  Dormers 

added  in  1870s,  porch  railing  is  not  original. 


4B.          Building  11,  Officers'  Quarters,  Main  Post,  detail  of 
split  columns  on  porch. 


215 


Building  57,  Officers'  Quarters,  1885 

This  is  one  of  four  buildings  that  arc  the  only  examples  on  the  Presidio  of  the  very  popular 
Queen  Anne  style.  The  L-plan  and  combination  of  cut  shingles  and  horizontal  siding  is  typical 
of  the  Queen  Anne  style;  the  angled  roof  brackets  and  knee-braces  on  the  porch  columns 
indicate  the  influence  of  the  so-called  Stick  style.  The  Queen  Anne  style  was  very  popular  in 
San  Francisco;  elaborate  ornament  became  a  hallmark  of  the  style  in  the  late  1880s  and  1890s 
in  city  neighborhoods  such  as  the  Western  Addition. 


5B. 


Building  57,  Officers'  Quarters,  Main  Post,  1885.  Stick/Queen  Anne. 


216 


Building  64,  Officers'  Family  Housing,  1889 

A  cottage-like  building  representative  of  the  late  Federal /Italianate  style  with  a  hip  roof  and 
a  front  porch  which  has  a  molded  cornice,  Tuscan  columns,  and  a  crossed-stick  railing.  The 
channeled  siding  is  more  typical  of  the  Italianate  than  the  narrow  weatherboard  siding  used 
on  the  buildings  discussed  above.  These  residences  were  patterned  after  buildings  at  Fort 
Thomas  in  the  Arizona  Territory. 


6B.  Building  64,  Officers'  Quarters,  Main  Post,  1889.  Late  Italianate. 


217 


Colonial  Revival:  ca.  1895-ca.  1920 

Interest  in  the  country's  colonial  past  whetted  by  the  centennial  expositions  produced 
variations  on  the  Georgian  and  Federal  styles  that  differed  from  the  more  Classical  Greek 
Revival  and  Italianate  styles. 

Characteristics:  Rectangular  volumes,  symmetrically  composed  with  gable,  hip,  or  gambrel 
roofs.  Roofs  may  not  have  full  entablatures  but  usually  have  decorative  brackets  or  modillions, 
or  shaped  rafter-ends. 

Wood-frame  buildings  have  narrow  weatherboards;  brick  was  commonly  used  in  the  east, 
south,  and  midwestern  parts  of  the  country. 

Buildings  have  a  variety  of  Classical  detail  in  columns,  pilasters,  cornice  moldings, 
entablatures  with  dentil  courses,  and  ornamental  cartouches,  sometimes  in  trefoil  and 
quatrefoil  openings.  The  use  of  round  or  hemispherical  bulls-eye  openings  called  lunettes 
gable-ends  was  common.  Windows  and  doors  were  given  Classical  details  in  their  architraves 
or  heads. 


218 


Examples 

Buildings  101-105,  Enlisted  Miens'  Barracks  with  Mess 

These  buildings  are  irregularly  shaped,  two-and-one-half  story  structures  that  appear  as 
rectangular  blocks  from  the  front.  They  have  hip-roofs  with  hip-and-gable  dormers;  their  roofs 
have  simplified  entablatures  with  modillions  supporting  molded  cornices.  The  walls  are  brick 
above  a  rock-faced  stone  base;  the  one-story  porches  across  the  front  have  modified  Tuscan 
columns.  Windows  have  wood  sash  and  doors  are  set  in  reveals  with  relieving  arches  as  heads. 

The  general  massing,  the  provision  of  a  base  for  the  living  floors,  the  hip-roof,  and  use  of 
columned  porches  and  entablatures  with  overhanging  eaves  on  shaped  blocks  are  all 
indications  of  the  Colonial /Georgian  Revival  style.  However,  instead  of  the  elaborate  versions 
of  this  mode  built  in  the  private  sector,  this  is  a  much  simplified  version  that  was  also  built 
in  urban  neighborhoods  around  the  turn  of  the  century  and  is  often  called  the  Classic  or 
Colonial  Box.  The  economical  Colonial  Box  was  usually  built  in  wood  and  thus  has  a  much 
less  substantial  appearance.  An  interesting  feature  of  these  barracks  is  the  use  of  rounded  or 
rolled  corners  on  the  dormers.  Such  rounded  forms  were  typical  of  the  Shingle  style,  also  in 
vogue  at  this  time. 


'  "V  fa 


7B. 


Enlisted  Men's  Barracks  101-105,  Main  Post,  1895.  Colonial  Revival. 


219 


Building  42,  Pershing  Hall,  1903 

Pershing  Hall  has  a  T-plan  with  long,  rectangular  main  block.  The  hip-and-gable  roof  has  a 
central  cross-gabled  wing  with  returns  and  a  Classical  entablature  with  a  dentil  course  and  a 
molded  cornice  on  modilians.  The  walls  are  of  brick  with  stone  used  for  details  such  as  the 
window  head  with  raised  keystones  and  the  lunette  with  a  stone  architrave  and  raised 
keystone  on  the  central  wing.  The  building  is  also  set  on  a  raised  base  with  a  water  table,  and 
the  porches  have  Tuscan  columns  and  balustrades. 


8B.  Building  42,  Pershing  Hall,  Main  Post,  1903.  Colonial  Revival. 


220 


Building  682,  E.M.  Barracks,  1902 

This  building  is  similar  to  Pershing  Hall  but  constructed  of  wood.  The  distinctive  feature  here 
is  the  Palladian,  or  Venetian,  window  centered  in  the  gable-ends.  This  a  tri-part  window  with 
the  central  section  wider  than  the  side  sections  and  surmounted  by  a  lunette  with  a  raised 
keystone. 


9B.  Building  682,  Cavalry  Barracks,  1902.  Colonial  Revival. 


221 


Building  1000,  Officers'  Family  Housing  at  Letterman  Hospital,  1902 

This  building  bears  such  a  striking  resemblance  to  the  Officer  Family  Housing  at  Fort  Worden 
in  Washington  state,  ca  1902,  (even  the  fenestration  is  the  same)  that  it  would  seem  certain  that 
they  were  built  from  the  same  plans.  Here  too  a  Palladian  window  is  set  in  the  gable-end,  and 
Classical  moldings  with  dentil  courses  occur. 


10B.         Building  1000,  Officers'  Quarters,  Letterman  General  Hospital,  1902.  Colonial 
Revival. 


222 


The  Enlisted  Family  Housing,  124A  and  B,  1909 

This  rectangular  brick  building  has  a  gable-roof  with  returns  on  its  molded  cornice  and  a 
lunene  in  the  gable-end.  The  wooden  front  porch  has  a  Classical  entablature  with  Tuscan 
columns  and  a  stick  railing.  It  appears  to  have  set  the  general  style  for  others  in  this  area  that 
are  more  elaborate. 


11B.         Noncommissioned  Officers'  Quarters  124A  and  B,  Main  Post,  1909.  Colonial 
Revival. 


223 


Building  129  A  and  B,  1933 

This  building  is  later  than  Building  124A  and  B  but  has  the  same  form  and  is  recognizably 
related  to  it.  Building  129A  and  B  is  slightly  larger  and  has  enclosed  double  entry  porches  with 
glazed  doors  and  round-arched  transoms  with  fanlights  characteristic  of  the  Georgian  Revival 
mode.  The  porches  also  have  a  flaring  metal  roof  that  recalls  Regency  Revival  styling. 


12B.         Noncommissioned  Officers'  Quarters  129A  and  B,  Main  Post,  1933.  Colonial 
Revival. 


224 


Fort  Point  Coast  Guard  Station,  Main  Building 

This  is  the  only  example  of  a  building  in  the  Dutch  Colonial  Revival  style,  which  typically  has 
a  gambrel  roof.  The  building  also  has  an  interesting  variation  on  the  Tuscan  order  in  its  porch 
columns  with  a  cushion-like  capitals. 


13B.         Fort  Point  Coast  Guard  Station,  Officer's  Quarters.  Dutch  Colonial  Revival. 


14B.         Fort  Point  Coast  Guard  Station,  Entrance  to  Officer's  Quarters. 


225 


Mission  Revival  ca.  1890-1912 

The  California  version  of  this  style  first  appeared  shortly  before  1890  and  spread  across  the 
country  after  1900.  It  enjoyed  its  greatest  popularity  around  1910  and  declined  thereafter 
because  of  the  influence  of  the  Spanish  Colonial  and  Mediterranean  Revival  styles  that  were 
used  in  the  buildings  of  the  1915  Pan  Pacific  International  Exposition  in  San  Francisco  and  the 
Panama  Pacific  Exposition  in  San  Diego  of  the  same  year 

Characteristics:  rectangular  forms  with  the  ground  floors  often  arcaded.  Covered  arcades  of 
corridor's  often  extend  from  the  buildings. 

Materials  are  typically  stucco  over  wood  frame  with  the  stucco,  often  built-tip  unevenly  and 
trowelled  to  mimic  adobe,  and  concrete  for  building  walls;  roofs  are  generally  of  terra  cotta 
tile,  or,  if  mineral  roofing  is  used,  the  color  is  typically  red  to  suggest  tile. 

Major  openings  often  have  round  arched  without  architrave  moldings.  The  most  common 
decorative  feature  is  the  scrolled  or  stepped  gable  taken  directly  from  the  mission  churches. 
Quatrefoil  and  star-shaped  windows  centered  in  the  gable-ends  are  also  typical. 

Examples: 

E.M.  Barracks  1216,  Fort  Winfield  Scott,  1912 

One  of  the  series  of  barracks  that  surround  the  parade  ground,  Building  1216  has  tiled  roofs 
with  scrolled,  or  curvilinear,  gable  parapets,  and  an  arcaded  section  on  the  ground  floor.  The 
building  is  composed  of  a  long,  rectangular  block  with  cross-wings  at  the  ends;  the  light- 
colored  walls  are  planar  and  devoid  of  moldings. 


15B.         Building  1216,  Enlisted  Men's  Barracks,  Fort  Winfield  Scott,  1912.  Mission 
Revival. 


226 


Building  1201,  Fort  Winfield  Scott,  the  Coast  Artillery  District  Headquarters,  1912 

This  headquarters  building  has  the  same  stylistic  features  as  the  barracks  described  above  but 
is  embellished  with  a  pointed  trefoil  window  centered  in  the  scrolled  gable-end  and  an 
ornamental  wrought-iron  balcony  railing  over  the  main  entrance. 

Building  650,  Stilwell  Hall  at  Crissy  Field,  1921,  has  the  same  basic  form  and  characteristic 
elements  that  appear  on  the  earlier  Fort  Scott  buildings  (not  illustrated). 


16B.         Building  1201,  Headquarters,  Fort  Winfield  Scott,  1912.  Mission  Revival. 


17B.         Building  650,  Enlisted  Men's  Barracks,  Crissy  Field,  1921.  Mission  Revival. 

227 


Italian  Mediterranean,  or  Italian  Renaissance  Revival  style 

Examples: 

Building  1226,  Gymnasium,  1911 

This  building  combines  the  Mission  Revival  style  with  the  Italian  Mediterranean  or 
Renaissance  Revival  style.  The  former  appears  in  the  scrolled  gable-ends  and  pediment  over 
the  main  entrance.  Italian  Mediterranean  influences  appear  in  the  round-arched  windows  and 
the  paired,  shaped  brackets  supporting  a  cornice  board  that  in  turn  supports  the  rafter-ends 
of  the  roof  overhang. 


18B.         Building  1226,  Gymnasium,  Fort  Winfield  Scott, 
1911.  Mission/Italian  Renaissance  Revival. 


228 


Buildings  1224,  Infirmary,  1912 

The  building  employs  the  same  support  system  for  the  roof  overhang  as  Building  1226  but 
does  not  have  the  Mission-Revival  style  scrolled  gable-ends.  Its  blocky  style  recalls  Italian 
Renaissance  palaces. 


^^^jjjA 


19B.         Building    1224,    Infirmary,    Fort    Winfield    Scott,    1912.    Mission /Italian 
Renaissance  Revival. 


229 


Building  1213,  Post  Stockade,  1912 

Stylistically,  this  structure  is  also  more  in  the  Italian  Renaissance  Revival  than  the  Mission 
Revival  style  with  its  strong  blocky  form  and  roof  overhang  supported  on  double-brackets 
interspersed  with  frieze  panels  that  have  a  raised  diamond  motif  in  the  center.  Segmental 
arches  over  the  ground-floor  openings  are  also  characteristic  of  this  variation  on  the 
Mediterranean  theme. 


20B.         Building  1213,  Post  Stockade,  Fort  Winfield  Scott,  1912.  Mission /Italian 
Renaissance  Revival. 


230 


Building  35,  E.M.  Barracks,  1912 

Located  just  off  the  Main  Parade  Ground,  this  building  is  another  variation  on  the  Italian 
Mediterranean  or  Renaissance  mode  and  has  a  more  Classical  entablature  than  Building  1213, 
which  uses  the  same  frieze  panels.  The  roof  has  a  shallow  overhang,  which  is  not  supported 
on  brackets. 


21B.         Building  35,  Enlisted  Men's  Barracks,  Main  Post,  1912.  Italian  Renaissance 
Revival. 


231 


Colonial/Georgian  Revival,  ca.  1912-1941 

The  same  building  campaign  that  introduced  the  Mission  and  Italian  Renaissance  Revival 
styles  at  Fort  Scott  also  incorporated  an  eclectic  version  of  the  Georgian  Revival  style  in  the 
Officer  Family  Housing  of  1912  along  Kobbe  Avenue.  Here  brick  is  used,  sometimes  in  rich 
brickwork,  and  details  are  more  elaborate,  as  in  the  geometric  wood  balustrades  of  porches 
and  balconies.  Some  of  the  buildings  continue  the  influence  of  the  Mediterranean  styles  in 
having  tiled  roofs. 


Examples 

Building  1314,  Officers'  Family  Housing,  1912 

The  blocky  form  and  roof  of  this  building  closely  resembles  Building  1224,  described  above, 
except  that  1314  has  dormers  and  walls,  of  brick.  The  porches  of  the  two  buildings  are 
basically  the  same,  but  whereas  1224  has  a  wrought-iron  balcony  railing  over  the  entrance 
porch  with  square  corner  piers  and  simple  detailing  the  porch  of  1314  has  the  Classical 
detailing  typical  of  the  Colonial /Georgian  Revival  style  with  paired  columns,  a  Classical 
entablature  with  modillions,  and  a  balcony  railing  with  geometric  motifs  and  paneled  corner 
elements.  The  raised  terrace  also  has  a  characteristic  stick  railing  with  paneled  corner  piers. 
The  wooden  elements  are  painted  white  to  contrast  with  the  brick  walls,  which  is  also  typical 
of  the  Georgian  Revival  mode. 


22B.         Building  1314,  Officers'  Quarters,  Fort  Winfield  Scott,  1912.  Colonial /Georgian 
Revival. 


232 


Building  1334,  Officers'  Quarters,  1912 

Larger  than  Building  1314,  this  building  is  also  elaborately  detailed  with  a  two-story  front 
porch  flanked  by  polygonal  bays.  The  white-painted  wooden  detail  of  the  porch  and  end  bays 
is  like  that  on  1314.  The  building  has  a  tiled  roof  and  dormer  that  are  more  typical  of 
Mediterranean  styling. 


23B.         Building  1334,  Officers'  Quarters,  Fort  Winfield  Scott,  1912.  Colonial /Georgian 
Revival. 


233 


Building  1337,  General  Officer's  Quarters,  1915 

This  building  is  a  more  straightforward  version  of  the  Georgian  Revival  style  without  the 
admixture  of  Mediterranean  elements  that  the  preceding  two  buildings  exhibit.  The  pitch  of 
the  hip  roof  is  higher,  the  dormers  and  entrance  porch  have  Classical  detail  typical  of  the 
Georgian  Revival  mode,  and  the  general  form  and  appearance  of  the  building  conform  more 
closely  to  the  conventional  idea  of  the  style. 


24B.         Building  1337,  Commanding  Officer's  Quarters,  Fort  Winfield  Scott,  1915. 
Colonial /Georgian  Revival. 


234 


Building  654,  Guard  House,  1921 

This  small  structure  neatly  fuses  the  Colonial  Revival  and  the  Mediterranean  Revival  styles 
together.  The  raised  entrance  has  elements  such  as  the  columns  and  abbreviated  broken 
pediment  that  frame  a  door  with  a  segmental  pediment,  sidelights,  and  fanlight  borrowed  from 
the  Georgian  Revival  vocabulary  and  applied  to  a  stuccoed  box  with  a  tiled  hip  roof  that  is 
associated  with  the  Mediterranean  Revival  style. 


25B.         Building   654,    Guardhouse,    Crissy   Field,    1921.    Colonial /Mediterranean 
Revival. 


235 


Mediterranean  Revival,  ca.  1912-1941 

California's  Spanish  Colonial  heritage  and  its  Mediterranean  climate  have  been  a  continuing 
source  of  architectural  imagery.  The  variety  of  styles  influenced  by  the  architecture  of  the 
Mediterranean  region,  which  became  popular  about  1915,  ranged  from  the  formality  of  the 
neo-Plateresque  and  neo-Churrigueresque  to  the  informality  of  Andalusian  farmhouses  and 
villas  from  Tuscany. 

Characteristics:  The  same  use  of  simple  volumetric  forms  and  plain  surfaces  with  undecorated 
openings  as  in  the  Mission  Revival  style.  Light-colored  walls  in  stucco  or  concrete  with  red 
tiled  roofs  are  also  typical.  The  buildings  in  this  eclectic  mode  have  a  striking  continuity 
despite  variations  in  size  and  form. 

Examples: 

Building  651,  Administration  Building,  1921 

Composed  with  a  main,  two-story  block  flanked  by  one-story  wings,  this  building  employs  the 
vocabulary  of  materials  and  forms  noted  above. 


26B.         Building  651,  Administration  Building,  Crissy  Field,  1921.  Mediterranean 
Revival. 


236 


Building  38,  E.M.  Barracks  with  Mess  Hall,  1940 

Much  larger  than  651,  this  building  is  composed  with  a  main,  gable-roofed  block  that 
terminates  in  cross-gabled  wings.  The  building  is  almost  devoid  of  decorative  detail  but  has 
simple  balconies  with  a  strong  geometry  in  slightly  oversized  brackets,  paneled  motifs  on  the 
balcony  wall  and  a  hood  molding  over  the  window  above. 


27B.         Building  38,  Enlisted  Men's  Barracks,  Main  Post,  1940.  Mediterranean  Revival. 


••     •• 

Em  • 
!!! 


28B.         Building  38,  detail. 


Building  551,  Officer  Family  Housing,  1917 

A  stylistic  variation  on  the  Mediterranean  theme  stripped  of  the  kind  of  decorative  detail  that 
would  tie  it  to  more  conventional  Mediterranean  styles,  the  building's  planar  quality  and  the 
slight  upward  flare  of  the  roof  eaves  recall  residences  designed  by  architects  associated  with 
the  midwestern  Prairie  School,  which  flourished  at  this  time. 


29B.         Building  551,  Officers'  Quarters,  Main  Post,  1917.  Mediterranean  Revival. 


238 


Building  1332,  Officers'  Family  Housing,  1943 

This  building  reflects  the  popularity  of  the  Spanish  Colonial  ranch  house  filtered  through  the 
Andalusian  farm  house  model  that  was  fashionable  in  the  1920s.  The  long  low,  horizontal  form 
of  the  building  with  its  tiled  gable  roof  and  wooden  porch  protecting  from  the  upper  story  are 
characteristic  of  this  Spanish  Colonial  Revival  mode. 


30B.         Building  1332,  Officers'  Quarters,  Fort  Winfield  Scott,  1943.  Mediterranean 
Revival. 


239 


Utilitarian:  ca.  1900-1959 

The  majority  of  industrial  and  other  functional  buildings  at  the  Presidio  were  either  designed 
without  stylistic  features  or  executed  in  very  simplified  versions  of  styles.  However,  their 
massing,  materials,  windows  and  doors,  and  skylights  gave  them  character;  they  are  no  less 
recognizable  for  not  having  decorative  elements.  Forms  are  simple,  typical  materials  are  brick, 
wood,  board-and-batten  siding  and  weatherboard  siding,  and  corrugated  metal  siding. 

Examples: 

Building  1339,  Ordnance  Repair  Shop,  1900 

The  industrial  use  of  this  building  doubtless  dictated  its  simple  form  and  minimal  Classical 
detailing  in  the  returns  on  the  boxed  roof  cornice.  The  rusticated  stone  base,  brick  walls,  and 
openings  with  simple  relieving  arches  were  used  on  other  utilitarian  buildings  such  as  the 
Cavalry  Stables  662,  described  below. 


31B.         Building  1339,  Ordnance  Repair  Shop,  Fort  Winfield  Scott,  1900.  Utilitarian. 


240 


Building  662,  Cavalry  Stables,  1914 

The  basilica  form  of  these  stables  was  commonly  used  wherever  animals  were  housed.  The 
raised  nave,  or  central  section,  with  clerestory  windows  provided  daylighting  for  the  interior; 
the  shed-roofed  side  sections  contained  the  stalls  and  feeding  stations.  The  hoist  above  the 
upper  level  door  in  the  front  was  used  to  raise  feed  into  the  storage  area. 


32B.         Building  32,  Cavalry  Stables,  1914.  Utilitarian. 


241 


Building  210,  Bank  and  Post  Office,  1900 

Originally  a  guard  house,  this  rectangular  brick  structure  has  the  same  rusticated,  or  rock-face, 
base  and  brick  walls  as  Building  1339,  but  the  hip  roof  with  dormers  and  boxed  cornice  with 
exposed  rafter-ends  is  more  typical  of  the  Craftsman  style.  The  stylistic  features  are  so 
simplified  that  the  appearance  of  the  building  is  more  Utilitarian,  as  befits  its  use,  than 
Craftsman. 


33B.         Building  210,  Guardhouse,  Main  Post,  1900.  Utilitarian. 


242 


Building  1227,  Quartermaster  Shop  and  Print  Shop,  1917  and  Buildings  924,  935,  etc. 

These  buildings  have  quite  plain  exteriors  dominated  by  the  nature  of  their  structure 
and  materials. 


34B.         Building  1227,  Quartermaster  Shop,  Fort  Winfield  Scott,  1917.  Utilitarian. 


35B.         Building  924,  Engineer  Field  Maintenance,  Crissy  Field,  1959.  Utilitarian. 


243 


BIBLIOGRAPHY 

Manuscript  Materials 

Alameda,  California.  Headquarters,  Twelfth  Coast  Guard  District,  Records  of  the  Fort  Point  Coast 
Guard  Station  323,  1915-1990. 

Denver,  Colorado.  National  Park  Service.  Lawrence  Kinnaird,  "History  of  the  Golden  Gate  and  its 
Headlands."  Typescript,  1962,  with  the  concluding  chapter  being  written  in  1967. 

San  Diego.  Cabrillo  National  Monument.  Erwin  N.  Thompson,  "The  Guns  of  San  Diego,  Three 
Centuries  of  San  Diego  Harbor  Defenses,  1769-1988."  Typescript  1990. 

San  Francisco.  California  Historical  Society.  Cosad  Diary,  1849-1950. 

. .  Lieutenant  Kimball,  1st  New  York  Volunteers.  Diary,  1848. 

. .  Richard  Schellens  Papers  34. 

.  National  Archives  Branch.  Record  Group  112.  Annual  Reports,  Letterman  General  Hospital, 

1918-1923;  and  Land  Acquisition  and  Hospital  Construction  Files,  Letterman  General  Hospital, 
1898-1980. 

• .  Record  Group  338.  Land  Records  of  the  Presidio  of  San  Francisco,  1918-1981  (with 

gaps);  and  Star  Presidian  Newspaper  Files,  1952-1957. 

.  National  Park  Service.  Milton  B.  Halsey,  Jr.,  "Point  Paper,  The  Presidio  Chapels."  Circa  1990. 


_.  Pamphlet,  "Chapels  of  the  Presidio."  Contributed  to  by  Linda  Jackowski  and  Sgt. 


Jerry  D.  Mason. 
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_.  Presidio  of  San  Francisco.  Directorate  of  Engineering  and  Housing,  Master  Plans.  Herbert 
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_• • .  Historical  Files,  Bay  Area  Military  Reservations,  1846-1990. 


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.  Real  Estate  Office.  Historical  Files,  Bay  Area  Military  Reservations,  1946- 


Typescript,  n.d. 


_.  Post  Library.  [Sixth  U.S.  Army],  "History  of  the  Presidio  of  San  Francisco." 


.  Earle  K.  Stewart  and  Kenneth  S.  Erwin,  [An  Untitled  History  of  the 


Presidio  of  San  Francisco].  Typescript,  1959. 

_• •  Presidio  Army  Museum.  Anonymous,  "Organization  of  the  U.S.  Army  in  California 

and  the  West."  Typescript,  n.d. 

_•  •  •  Anonymous,  "The  Presidio  of  San  Francisco,  1776-1976."  Typescript. 

Appears  to  have  been  based  on  the  Stewart  and  Erwin  study,  above. 

245 


.  Heritage  Conservation  and  Recreation  Service,  Department  of  the 


Interior,  Inventory  of  Buildings,  Presidio  of  San  Francisco,  1981. 

_.  John  Langellier,  "Under  Three  Flags:  The  Presidio  of  San  Francisco,  1776- 


1976."  typescript,  11  pages  and  notes. 

_. . .  John  Philip  Langellier,  "Bastion  by  the  Bay,  A  History  of  the  Presidio  of 

San  Francisco,  1776-1906."  (Ph.D.  diss.,  Kansas  State  University,  1982). 

_.   Louis  Mudgett.   "A   Brief  History  of  Letterman   Army  Hospital." 


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_. . .  Presidio  of  San  Francisco,  "Annual  Historical  Supplement ...  1  October 

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_.   U.S.   Army,   Public   Relations   Section,   Ninth   Zone   Construction 


Quartermaster,  San  Francisco,  "New  Red  Cross  Headquarters,"  October  27,  1941. 

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_. .  .  Donavan  P.  Yeuell,  "The  Presidio  Officers'  Club,  The  Oldest  Adobe 


Building  in  San  Francisco,"  August  1934. 
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. .  Record  Group  26,  U.S.  Life  Saving  Service,  Letters  Received. 

. .  Record  Group  77,  Office  of  the  Chief  of  Engineers,  Letters  Received  1838-1866. 

_.  General  Correspondence,  1894-1923  and  1927-1939. 
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_.  William  Mooser,  Jr.,  "Report  on  Progress  of  the  Works  Program  in  San 


Francisco  and  Vicinity,"  January  1938,  in  General  Correspondence,  1927-1939. 

_•    .    Record    Group    92,    Office    of    the    Quartermaster    General.    Consolidated 

Correspondence  File,  1794-1890. 

_. . .  General  Correspondence  1890-1914. 

_. .  General  Correspondence  Geographical  File,  1922-1935,  1941,  and  1946- 


1948. 
_. . .  Construction  Division,  Completion  Reports,  1917-1940. 


_.  Record  Group  94,  Office  of  the  Adjutant  General,  Letters  Received  1852. 

246 


_.  Appointment,  Commission,  and  Personal  (ACP)  File. 
.  Territorial  Departments,  8-1 1th  Military  Departments,  Departmental 


Returns,  10th  Department,  1847-1911. 

_. .  Record  Group  394,  U.S.  Army  Commands,  1920-1942. 

_. .  Microcopy  617,  Returns  from  U.S.  Posts,  1800-1916. 

_. .  Microcopy  919,  U.S.  Coast  Guard  Assistance  Reports. 


Periodicals 

Ashburn,  Thomas  Q.  "Forts  Under  the  Sea."  Sunset,  The  Magazine  of  the  Pacific  (October  1909):  327-336 
and  403. 

Funston,  Frederick.  "How  the  Army  Worked  to  Save  San  Francisco."  Cosmopolitan  Magazine  41  (July 
1906):  239-248. 

Meeden,  Capt.  B.L.  "Army's  Finest  Club  Building  -  Restoration  of  the  Officers'  Club  at  the  Presidio  of 
San  Francisco."  The  Quartermaster  Review  (November-December  1934),  and  an  Addendum, 
October  28,  1937. 

Pickney,  Paul.  "Our  Largest  Army  Hospital."  Overland  Monthly  36  (July-December  1900). 

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Stackpole,  1959. 

Bancroft,  Hubert  Howe.  Works,  22  vols.,  History  of  California,  vol.  5,  1846-1848.  San  Francisco,  1886. 

Bearss,  Edwin  C.  Historic  Structure  Report,  Fort  Point,  Historic  Data  Section,  Fort  Point  National  Historic 
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Bisbee,  William  Henry.  Through  Four  American  Wars,  The  Impressions  and  Experiences  of  Brigadier  General 
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Brack,  Mark  L.,  Delgado,  James  P.  et  al.  Presidio  of  San  Francisco  National  Historic  Landmark  District, 
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Bryant,  Edwin.  What  I  Saw  in  California.  Lincoln:  University  of  Nebraska  Press. 

Coffman,  Edward  M.  The  Old  Army,  A  Portrait  of  the  American  Army  in  Peacetime,  1784-1898.  New  York: 
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Doss,  Margot  Patterson.  Paths  of  Gold,  In  and  Around  the  Golden  Gate  National  Recreation  Area.  San 
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Egan,  Ferol.  Sand  in  a  Whirlwind,  The  Paiute  Indian  War  of  1860.  Garden  City:  Doubleday,  1972. 


247 


Edwards,  Malcolm,  ed.  The  California  Diary  of  General  E.D.  Townsend.  N.p.:  Ward  Richie  Press,  1970. 

Frazier,  Robert  W.,  ed.  Mansfield  on  the  Condition  of  the  Western  Forts,  1853-54.  Norman:  University  of 
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Fremont,  John  Charles.  Memoirs  of  My  Life.  Chicago,  1887. 

Ganoe,  William  Addleman.  The  History  of  the  United  States  Army.  rev.  ed.  New  York:  D.  Appleton- 
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Goetzman,  William  H.  Exploration  and  Empire.  New  York:  Alfred  A.  Knopf,  1966. 

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Greely,  Adolphus  W.  Earthquake  in  California,  April  18,  1906,  Special  Report  on  the  Relief  Operations 
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Grivas,  Theodore.  Military  Governments  in  California,  1846-1850.  Glendale:  Arthur  H.  Clark,  1963. 
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Langellier,  John  Phillip  and  Rosen,  Daniel  Bernard.  Bastion  by  the  Bay:  El  Presidio  De  San  Francisco  Under 
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Liddell  Hart,  B.H.  Sherman,  Soldier,  Realist,  American.  New  York:  Frederick  A.  Praeger,  1958. 
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Mahon,  John  K.  and  Danysh,  Romana.  Infantry,  Part  I:  Regular  Army,  Army  Lineage  Series.  Washington: 
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Moore,  Charles.  Daniel  H.  Burnham,  Architect  Planner  of  Cities.  2  vols.  Boston:  Houghton  Mifflin,  1921. 
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Spence,  Mary  Lee  and  Jackson,  Donald,  eds.,  The  Expeditions  of  John  Charles  Fremont,  vol.  2.  The  Bear 
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Strauss,  Joseph  B.  The  Golden  Gate  Bridge,  Report  of  the  Chief  Engineer  to  the  Board  of  Directors  of  the 
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248 


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Toogood,  Anna  Coxe.  Historic  Resource  Study,  A  Civil  History,  Golden  Gate  National  Recreation  Area. 
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249 


Newspapers 

Daily  Alta  California 
Neiv  York  Times 
Presidial  Weekly  Clarion 
San  Francisco  Call 
San  Francisco  Chronicle 
San  Francisco  Examiner 
Star  Prcsidian 

Unidentified  newspaper  clippings  by  O.W.  Degen,  Quartermaster  Department,  Fort  Mason: 
"Development  of  the  San  Francisco  Water  Supply  System;  Part  1  -  Original  Sources"  and  "Supply 
System;  Part  II  -  Spring  Valley  Co."  OQMG,  GCGF  1922-1935,  RG  92,  NA.  Degen  worked  at  Fort 
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U.S.  News  and  World  Report,  October  7,  1991. 


250 


As  the  nation's  principal  conservation  agency,  the  Department  of  the  Interior  has  responsibility  for  most  of  our 
nationally  owned  public  lands  and  natural  and  cultural  resources.  This  includes  fostering  wise  use  of  our  land 
and  water  resources,  protecting  our  fish  and  wildlife,  preserving  the  environmental  and  cultural  values  of  our 
national  parks  and  historical  places,  and  providing  for  the  enjoyment  of  life  through  outdoor  recreation.  The 
department  assesses  our  energy  and  mineral  resources  and  works  to  ensure  that  their  development  is  in  the 
best  interests  of  all  our  people.  The  department  also  promotes  the  goals  of  the  Take  Pride  in  America  campaign 
by  encouraging  stewardship  and  citizen  responsibility  for  the  public  lands  and  promoting  citizen  participation 
in  their  care.  The  department  also  has  a  major  responsibility  for  American  Indian  reservation  communities  and 
for  people  who  live  in  island  territories  under  U.S.  administration. 


Publication  services  were  provided  by  Joan  Huff,  visual  information  technician,  of  the  Branch  of  Publications 
and  Graphic  Design  of  the  Denver  Service  Center.    NPSD-120     August  1992 


U.S.  Department  of  the  Interior  •  National  Park  Service